Would you like to see your favorite truckstop add electric power outlets in the parking lot, so you and your neighbors could shut down those engines and still be comfortable? If so, fire up your computer and take part in a survey at www.plug-into-shorepower.com. Your opinion could be very important, because the industry wants to know if this is a problem that needs solving.

The survey is sponsored in part by Xantrex Technology, a company that provides mobile power products to truck OEMs and aftermarket buyers with inverter/chargers and shore power connections. Brian Lawrence, manager, heavy duty truck for Xantrex, says trucking's reliance on idling and batteries cuts fuel economy and contributes to pollution, which is spawning anti-idling laws in more communities.

Why a survey? According to George Strickland, director of engineering and construction for TravelCenters of America, the lack of widespread "shore power" at truckstops stems from a lack of demand.

"I strongly believe truckstop electrification makes sense," Strickland said. "But, truckstop electrification has been a chicken-and-egg problem. Truckstops have been reluctant to offer it because they haven't had demand from fleets and owner-operators.

"Conversely, fleets haven't made the demand because truckstops didn't offer electrical hookups. And OEMs, until recently, haven't offered shore power infrastructure in their trucks. Putting in power at truckstops is not cheap – we can't afford to make the investment unless we know there is demand. That's why we've been unwilling to go 'first.'"

Electric power is the cheapest form of energy for running on-board systems. A typical truck might draw 72 cents worth of power per night (six hours at the national average cost of electricity). "Truckstops would have to charge for power," said Strickland.

"And the cost of power would have to be dovetailed in with the installation of power – our cost for putting in the service. Still, the cost to truckers would be significantly less than idling, and they'd be doing a favor to the environment," said Strickland.