Clarios, a global leader in low-voltage battery technology, has introduced the “IdleLess” battery monitoring solution, designed to reduce engine idling time and save significant fuel costs for fleets. The solution monitors the state of vehicle batteries and offers real-time insights, helping to maintain optimal charge levels while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Particularly for heavy-duty vehicles where drivers often stay overnight, IdleLess ensures comfort and peace of mind by preventing unnecessary fuel waste from excessive idling. This technology can result in substantial savings and environmental benefits for fleet operators.
“The Clarios idling reduction solution not only maximizes battery potential but also revolutionizes the way drivers and fleet managers understand and utilize battery power,” stated Cagatay Topcu, vice president of Clarios Connected Services. “With real-time battery monitoring, advanced algorithms, and instant communication, drivers can confidently embrace idling reduction, knowing they have reliable insights at their fingertips. This dynamic approach ensures that batteries are used to their fullest potential, drastically reducing unnecessary idling and boosting overall efficiency.”
By leveraging advanced real-time data analytics through continuous monitoring of vehicle batteries, the Clarios solution enables fleet operators to reduce unnecessary idling by 60 percent, leading to annual fuel cost savings of approximately $3,300 per vehicle.
Optimizing battery usage allows fleets to avoid unnecessary maintenance and use resources more efficiently, leading to further cost savings. Over a five-year period, fleet operators can save more than $13,000 per vehicle by implementing the Clarios idling reduction solution.
The solution relies on three components to achieve savings:
- Battery Data: Each battery has a sensor to collect voltage, current and temperature data for various events with the appropriate frequency, which is sent to the Clarios cloud via a cellular gateway for processing.
- Proprietary algorithm: Leveraging 130 years of expertise in low voltage batteries and vehicle power systems, advanced AI algorithms convert raw data into predictive insights on battery state of charge.
- Communications link with drivers and fleet managers: These predictive insights are converted into actionable alerts, notifying drivers when to start and stop their engines to maximize fuel savings while minimizing the risk of a battery related downtime event.
Tested in Europe, Now Available in U.S.
Clarios Connected Services has already secured its first commercial contract with a European fleet operator. The technology was successfully tested in a pilot project with an European fleet customer and is now being expanded to more vehicles in the customer’s fleet. The idling reduction technology is now available to U.S. fleet operators.
