Weight Exemption for No-Idle Technology
In today's society the trucking industry has made a profound impact within our economy nearly contributing 70% of all
freight tonnage moved within the U.S. Given this statistic, battery-powered auxiliary-power units (APUs) are growing
in popularity as they have helped diminish petroleum use and emissions along with saving fuel during rest-periods.
When the "Energy Power Act" (EPAct Sec. 756) became law in 2005, individual states were allowed to adopt a
400 lbs. weight exemption if a heavy-duty vehicle was equipped with idling reduction technology. Thus,
battery-powered and other idle reduction products could be installed without a weight penalty of up to 400 lbs.
Until that time, the weight of an APU that kept the trucker warm in the winter and cool in the summer
without idling counted toward the total weight of the tractor and its trailer.
To make headway, in 2012, the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" (MAP-21) further expanded the
previous APU weight restriction to 550 Ibs. However, in spite of the weight exemption increases, not all states have
adopted the law to the new weight standards. A good resource to obtain current information on state laws for
weight exemption is managed by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This interactive map
weight exemption is managed by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This interactive map
was created to show how states have recognized the need to reduce emissions while also accommodating
long-haul truckers who need to be comfortable in their sleeper cabs during their federally mandated rest periods.
In response to the air pollution prevention, accordingly, the California Air Resource Board (ARB) has encouraged the
use of zero and low-emissions technologies such as the battery-powered systems. It is their practice to endorse and
protect public health, welfare and ecological resources; while recognizing the affects air pollution has on our economy.
Thus, ARB has hereby issued approval letters for exempt devices if such approval is required by the manufacture.
The Bergstrom battery-powered no-idle system weighs approximately 460 Ibs. When operating our system, any
vehicle subject in utilizing this unit to promote reduction of fuel use and emissions, is recommended to carry
written documentation at all times. Below is the Bergstrom certification and ARB approval letter that can be
downloaded and kept with all other formal documentation if a Bergstrom no-idle unit has been installed within
- Weight Exemption Certification - Download
To qualify for the weight exemption allowance with idle reduction technology, the following information must be included:
- Certified weight of the APU in written documentation
- Certified proof (or be able to demonstrate) that the APU is working properly
A good resource to obtain information on state laws for idling regulations is managed by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). The information contained in these compendiums is for reference purposes only and should not be relied upon for regulatory compliance.
If there are any additional questions about the weight exemption certificate please contact customer service at 800.499.6849.