The Future of Hybrid Service Vehicles

By Ken Wysocky
July 2011 | 0 comments | View in E-Zine
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When manufacturers decide to ramp up production of hybrid vacuum trucks, you just might see Tim Kettler, president of Action Septic Service Inc. in Warsaw, Ohio, at the front of the line to become an alternative-power pioneer.

“I absolutely would consider buying one,” Kettler says. “Personally, I’d be willing to pay more for a hybrid vehicle. It’s a quality-of-life issue … It’s what we need to do to protect the environment. Sure, it’s an expensive investment, but what better way to demonstrate our commitment as an industry to not just clean-water issues, but to the larger issue of environmental stewardship?”

On the other hand, Kettler concedes that the significantly higher price of hybrids compared to conventional vehicles would deter many smaller contractors. “It would require a real financial commitment,” he says. “It definitely would be a challenge. You’re going to need a larger motivation than just saving a few gallons of gasoline right now.”

In a nutshell, Kettler’s comments sum up the fundamental issues many pumpers will face in the coming years as they ponder the merits of going hybrid. The decision will require consideration of a host of factors aside from just the higher cost or being eco-friendly, including whether or not their service area is urban or rural, where up-and-down fuel prices will settle, regional air quality and customer demand for “green” service providers.

A few industries in the United States and abroad already are dabbling in medium- and heavy-duty hybrid trucks (among the more common are dump, garbage, utility and delivery trucks). These hybrids combine diesel engines with electric motors and can provide up to 50 percent better fuel economy than conventional vehicles.

That’s no small benefit in times like these when diesel prices hit record highs. But the high prices seem to come in waves, then wane somewhat, leaving most contractors content to stay on the sidelines, refusing to enter the hybrid game. Or businesses might decide to start out small by buying hybrid pickup trucks and service vans to see how they work out, without as extensive a capital investment.



NUMBERS TELL A STORY
Sales of hybrid trucks remain sparse. A study compiled by the Center on Globalization Governance & Competitiveness, a group affiliated with Duke University, projected production of commercial hybrid trucks at 4,900 units in 2010, most for corporations that own large fleets.

A report from marketing research firm Frost & Sullivan estimates that 220,000 hybrid trucks will be sold in Europe and North America by 2016. That’s a 76 percent compound annual growth rate – but still negligible compared to the 4 million trucks the firm expects to be produced in total that year.

High prices are the biggest obstacle to hybrids. Truck producers can’t decrease prices much until volume dramatically increases. Not even federal tax credits of up to $12,000 for some hybrid truck models were enough to offset the price premium.

Rich Piellisch, editor of Fleets & Fuels magazine, sums up the quandary by pointing out that a utility company or contractor might pay about $260,000 for a hybrid aerial bucket truck, compared to about $200,000 for a conventional model.

“That’s a big premium, so to make up the price differential, you’d better be driving a lot of miles or doing a lot of idling,” he says, noting that a hybrid’s batteries can power truck accessories, such as aerial lifts, instead of an idling diesel engine. “Or you’d better be banking on diesel fuel prices going up to $5 a gallon.”

While fuel prices have spiked this spring and summer, Piellisch says companies are getting used to the swings and that has taken away the knee-jerk reaction of wanting to buy into hybrid technology.

“These vehicles are usually bought for long-term usage. Duty lives of 10 or 12 years are not uncommon,’’ he says. “Is hybrid technology more attractive now than when you have $2.50 diesel? Yes. The expectation seems to be that prices will go up, but we had that expectation before and saw them go down.’’



REDUCING IDLING TIME
The most common electric hybrid truck technology relies on an electric motor and a diesel-powered engine. Either power source or both can provide power at a given time. On many models, controls monitor driving conditions and automatically choose the ideal power mode, which is shown on a dashboard display.

These hybrids capture energy expended during braking and store it in lithium ion batteries, which can then either help with acceleration or operate truck accessories, such as cranes and lifts. As a result, hybrids that rely on so-called regenerative braking are best suited for urban, stop-and-go driving conditions, not high-speed, long-distance rural driving, experts say.

In Kenworth hybrid commercial trucks, the stored electrical energy can power truck accessories for up to 40 minutes with the engine turned off, which saves fuel and reduces engine wear-and-tear. When the batteries run out, the engine turns on automatically and recharges them with just five minutes of idling, says Judy McTigue, marketing manager for medium-duty trucks at Kenworth Truck Co.

“This could be a very good application for vacuum trucks,” McTigue says. “If you’re in pumping mode, and all you need is power from the PTO, it’s a great application for those vehicles.”

In such cases, the hybrid’s gas mileage is almost incidental compared to the value of dramatically reduced idling, Piellisch says, which underscores how complicated it is to determine the economic feasibility of going hybrid.

“Nothing is ever clear cut,” he notes. “In this case, you save a lot of money, even though you’re not driving a lot of miles … powering the truck’s equipment (with electricity) is more important than moving the truck itself. It’s always a question of what’s appropriate for the truck’s duty cycle.”

Tony Vasquez, streets and drainage manager for Bexar County, which surrounds San Antonio, Texas, agrees.

“You have to fit the right vehicle to the right application,” he notes. “We’re currently working with a vendor to produce a hybrid street sweeper. They travel at three to five miles per hour, which is a perfect application for a hybrid vehicle. Since we’re in an urban area, there’s a lot of stop-and-go driving, and that’s where the payoff is for hybrids.”

“The maximum benefit comes at lower speeds,” McTigue adds. “When I talk to someone about buying a hybrid truck, the first thing I ask is what a typical day of driving is like for them.”



PAYBACK STILL UNCERTAIN
Hybrids also become more economically justifiable in areas with air quality issues. A good example is Bexar County, where county officials – facing designation as an air-quality non-attainment area – approved an energy policy in 2007 aimed at conserving energy and promoting environmental responsibility.

That move led to the purchase of three 2009 Kenworth T370 diesel-electric hybrid dump trucks. The county uses the single-axle trucks, featuring 6- to 8-cubic-yard beds, to deliver material such as asphalt and dirt. They also can pull a trailer that holds small equipment, Vasquez says.

At the time, rising fuel prices also made the hybrid trucks more attractive. “The hybrids cost about $128,000 each, which is 25 percent more than conventional trucks,” he says. “We expect about an eight- to 10-year payback period, largely based on fuel prices.’’ When fuel prices dropped off $4 highs two years ago, the payback didn’t look so good. But now that diesel is hovering around the $4 mark, the hybrid truck purchases are looking a little wiser.

“In reality, if you make a decision based just on a cost basis, it might not make as much sense,” Vasquez says, referring to the unknown of long-term fuel prices. “But if you take into account air emissions and the county’s environmental goals, then it comes into play.”

The county’s older conventional dump trucks achieved about six mpg, compared to an average of nine mpg for the three hybrids. As a bonus, the hybrid trucks’ crew cabs hold up to five people, as opposed to only two. “Now we can transport more people to jobsites with fewer vehicles, which also saves fuel,” Vasquez says.

In areas with air-emissions restrictions, contractors with hybrids can obtain work that competitors with conventional vehicles can’t. In addition, some government jobs may even require low-emission vehicles. “If you work in a non-attainment area, hybrids can open up work for your fleet, which gives you an edge in obtaining business,” McTigue says. “In addition, hybrids can provide an advantage in areas with noise-abatement laws. They’re so quiet that at 10 p.m., nobody even realizes your truck is there.”



GOING GREEN?
Some contractors find value in marketing their companies as “green” entities that care about environmental stewardship. For them, large and visible hybrid trucks tangibly project that image.

“It’s very difficult to put a value on a ‘green’ image, but some of our customers develop marketing programs around it, McTigue says. “They put hybrid diesel decals on the doors of their trucks … they’re very proud of the trucks. We’ve seen everything from full vinyl wraps around box trucks to banners on bumpers. There’s a lot of creative ‘logoing’ going on.”

Nonetheless, without clear-cut financial or marketing advantages, it appears many contractors – such as John Eldredge, general manager of Eldredge Equipment Services, a large waste-hauling firm in West Chester, Pa. – will remain conflicted, standing on the hybrid sidelines. Or they may opt to experiment with smaller investments in hybrid pickup trucks and service vans.

“We’re always interested in something that improves the environment,” Eldredge says. “On one hand, we have a responsibility to improve the environment. But on the other hand, there’s the financial feasibility. It’s a fine line.”

But in the long run, industry observers like Piellisch believe it’s a question of when, not if, hybrids become more common. Fuel price hikes like we’ve seen this spring and summer are part of a pattern of laddering, Piellisch explains, where prices rise, then settle back down, but where they settle is still higher than the price before the spikes.



BECOMING FAMILIAR
Beyond the fuel price swings, Piellisch sees truck manufacturers keying on paybacks not based on receiving government subsidies to prove hybrid technology makes sense.

More and more manufacturers are promoting that the technology will pay for itself without government incentives,’’ he says. “It’s changed in the last six months, and they want to make their case without having to fall back on the government.’’

Adds McTigue: “People are more comfortable with the technology … they see it’s not crazy, weirdo, science fiction stuff. Hybrids are here to stay.”

Restroom Trailers - Make The Right Choice

These days people expect the comfort of home when they are away from home. And having access to a clean, stylish restroom facilities is no exception. The small portable restrooms you have find in parks work fine for that application but when attending a wedding or special event, people deserve more.

Restroom trailers or mobile restrooms are basically a portable building with large bathrooms inside them. Basic restroom trailers have all of the features and amenities of a home bathroom, such as running water, electricity, sinks, mirrors, etc. and come in many sizes. You can also get them 'ADA Standard Compliant' providing wheelchair accessibility.

For high-end events such as galas or weddings, luxury restroom trailers are a great option. They provide the same comforts as the basic trailers with a few extras such as skylights, stylish sinks, faux marble walls and hardwood flooring.

Again, these trailers come in different sizes to serve as an outlet for small to very large events.

To conclude one has to choose the best facilities so that their guests are comfortable to enjoy themselves without the concern of not having adequate restroom facilities.

Mobile Restrooms: A Must Have for Outdoor Events

May it be a wedding, garden reception, graduation, birthday party, anniversary or whatever special occasion, if the venue is outdoor, then this could be a concern for an events coordinator. You can have the most beautiful set up in the garden, really superb sound system, the most delectable dishes but if you do not have a decent restroom for your guests, then that will be a big problem indeed. For special occasions, especially those that require dressing up, it is important for restrooms to not only be clean but to be stylish as well. Women, for instance, take their time in the powder room and of course they want it dry and neat. All these things and more are present in the mobile restrooms of Black Tie Event Services.
Black Tie Event Services is the leading supplier of the cleanest and finest restroom trailers. They have been around since 1999 and from that time to the present, they have been the top choice of many event coordinators because they are reliable and they deliver the best service in this area. If a client wants an outdoor venue for a special occasion, one thing is for sure – getting mobile restrooms will be the least of their concern.
There are several models of mobile restroom trailers from Black Tie Event Services. Depending on your need, there are ultra luxurious restrooms for formal events such as weddings, which could rival those of a hotel. It comes with hot and cold running water, marbled walls and counter tops, wood flooring and even stereo music. Of course, women are always pleased that a full length mirror is available so they can always check on how they look. For outdoor events that are pretty casual, you can also opt to get a basic restroom which is designed to be highly functional. It comes with toilet stalls and urinals for men. Aside from looking more casual than the luxurious ones, it has similar features, minus the music.
For a smaller event that is designed for “roughing it”, you can be assured of having clean toilets by renting a portable restroom. Sure, it is not as convenient as restroom trailers but it serves its purpose well.
If by any chance you find yourself needing a shower for an event, there are also restroom trailers with a shower function. It has hot and cold running water, as well as the option to turn either the heat up or the air conditioning. It comes with 8 individual showers with a dressing room as well as a fold down bench. Sinks and mirrors are also available for the user’s convenience.
Black Tie Event Services both rents and sells their restroom trailers. If an outdoor event is something common to you, it may be wise to invest on one instead. Outdoor events are great but going to the bathroom can be such a hassle. Now, you can eliminate the hassle factor with mobile restrooms. They are clean, comfortable and stylish.

Restroom Trailers

These portable restrooms, or restroom trailers, are just like stationary ones you would use at any store, restaurant, or any other public facility. They have enclosed stalls, sinks and mirrors, and some even come with showering facilities. They can accommodate families, children, and people using wheelchairs.

Restroom Trailers – The Future of Portable Toilets

Restroom Trailers – The Future of Portable Toilets: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Sporting events do not always take place in fancy stadiums with all the modern conveniences. Restrooms are often lacking at venues where action takes place. Big, wide open spaces are great for setting up special events, but, usually lack the infrastructure that includes restroom facilities. In a situation where a large number of people gather, the use of portable toilets can save a lot of emergency trips down to the local gas station.

Portable restrooms evolved from the old fashioned outhouse. Back 100 years ago or so, most households did not have indoor plumbing. The call of nature was the same back then as it is today, so some sort of solution had to be made. An outdoor enclosure with a place to poop was the answer. Running out in the middle of a cold night to relieve one's self could not be much fun. Well, outhouses gave way to modern bathrooms and the world breathed a sigh of relief.

The first so called port-o-potties were not much nicer than an outhouse. Distant construction sites and other areas where facilities were lacking and people gathered, depended on these units for many years. Only recently, has the portable toilet industry tackled the problem. Working diligently to create a better place to go (and everyone enjoys a nice place for relief when nature calls), a number of innovations in the portable toilet industry took place. One of the most promising was the development of restroom trailers.

Restroom trailers are hauled to events by trucks and then set up for use. They are not a trailer loaded with port-o-potties, but rather, a self contained unit that can accommodate one or several bathroom stalls. The truck and attached restroom trailer pull up to the designated site and the trailer is unhitched and left for the event. Because it is mobile, it is perfect for large gatherings that only last a short time. An event that takes place out in the country, in wide open spaces, is the perfect setting.

The actual facilities vary greatly. A restroom trailer can have 1 or 2 units or a half dozen units. Restrooms range from basic commode and sink to designer decorated models complete with shower and fancy towels. There are some very fancy restrooms on trailers that would put your home's bathrooms to shame.

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Looking to Rent a Portable Restroom?

An important part of planning any outdoor function, whether it’s a 100 person wedding or a 10,000 person concert, is providing for the sanitation needs of the guests. Promoters, event planners and private parties have a variety of portable restrooms available, from plastic units to restroom trailers with deluxe amenities. To make the best choice before committing to a contract, planners must determine the best option for their event so they can keep the facilities clean and convenient.
Many factors determine the number and style of portable restrooms required for any given event:
• Will refreshments and/or alcohol will be served?
• How long is the event?
• How many people are expected to attend?
An adult concert with alcohol will require more restrooms than a 2 hour kids baseball game with the same number of attendants. To ensure that guests receive the best experience, event planners must consider all these factors.
Other considerations:
• Is there a dry, level area with running water and electricity?
• Are ADA-accessible units required?
• Will the restrooms need to be serviced during the event?
For bigger or more upscale events, restroom trailers are available in many sizes from 8 foot basic models to 28 foot luxury models. All providing your guests with the privacy and comforts of home.
Consideration all these factors when renting portable toilets or restroom trailers to ensure your guests will get the best experience at your event.

Restroom Trailers-From Social Events to Emergency Relief

Have you ever prepared to go to an outdoor event and wondered if restroom facilities are available? What sort of facilities are going to be there? Will they be fresh? Will they accommodate you and your family together or someone in a wheelchair? What about the hundreds of survivors of natural disasters who are housed in temporary shelters? Did you ever thought about these hundreds people how a shelter provide sanitary restroom services for so many people?

Most people are knowledgeable about the individual plastic outhouses (i.e. a Port-a-potty) that are so usual at outdoor events and do not be expecting to use anything but this when looking for a restroom. These outhouses provide a basic need but many people reject to use them due to not have of internal area, perceived unclean, broke airing, while the weather is too warm or cold, or due to lack of hand cleaning amenities once using it. There can be options to this simple restroom form, though, and they are available in the shape of entire trailers which can be fully functional including running water, flushable toilets, also climate control in a private, clean, and comfortable lavatory.

These moveable restrooms, or restroom trailers, are simply similar to stationary types you would use at every store, restaurant, or every other public facility. They've enclosed stalls, sinks and mirrors, and some even come with showering facilities. They can accommodate families, kids, and people by wheelchairs.

Restroom trailers could be used for outside events or for long-term use. They could accommodate tiny and big groups while maintaining a hygienic and secure location. A mixture of opportunities are accessible to meet your groups personal needs: simple portable toilets, hand washing stations, mobile shower trailers, and entire restroom facilities in basic or luxurious types. All of the available restroom facilities can be utilized as its only entity or combined including one another to perfectly meet up your needs.

Restroom trailers are invaluable in for relief efforts. Survivors of disasters frequently must live in communal facilities with little or no privacy whatsoever. Having the ability to use the toilet or take a shower in a private and sanitary bathroom is a way to offer some dignity back to people who've had their necessary needs stripped away. Since restroom trailers are usually developed and used for extended periods, they're the complete method to supplies a fully useful lavatory for people who otherwise have little to call their very own.