The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cannot endorse the products or services of commercial companies. Any 

reference to a specific commercial product or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, company or 

otherwise, does not constitute or imply the endorsement or recommendation of the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency.

The U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport 

Partnership is using Small Business 

Administration (SBA) lending 

programs to help small trucking 

companies save fuel and reduce 

pollution. 

SmartWay Transport is partnering with 

participating lenders to provide small 

trucking companies with financial support to 

help purchase SmartWay Upgrade Kits. 

These kits are fuel-saving and emissionreducing technologies that are both good for 

the environment and for business. 

SmartWay Upgrade Kits 

EPA has tested a set of technologies that are 

designed to cost-effectively reduce fuel 

consumption and save you money (see 

Table). The SmartWay Upgrade Kit consists 

of an idle reduction device, low rolling 

resistance tires, and tractor and trailer 

aerodynamics. Combined, this kit can save 

you almost $8000 per year in fuel costs, or 

over $300 per month above the monthly cost 

of the loan.1

Financial Assistance 

Participating lenders can offer affordable 

monthly payments for the purchase of the 

SmartWay Upgrade Kit, or its individual 

components. Companies with $23.5 million 

in gross receipts or less are eligible for these 

SBA Express Loans. Lenders offer a rapid 

approval process, low monthly payments and 

no collateral requirements. Typical loans 

range from $5,000 to $25,000. 

 

1

 Assumes a 5 year loan of $17,400, 12.5% interest 

rate, and Class 8 truck driving 100,000 miles per year. 

Small Business Truck Loans 

for SmartWaySM Transport 

Fuel-Saving Technologies

SmartWay Fuel-Saving Upgrade Kit –

Transform your trucks into high-efficiency, lowemission vehicles with: 

3⁄4 Idle reduction technology 

3⁄4 Low rolling resistance tires 

3⁄4 Tractor and/or trailer aerodynamics 

3⁄4 Exhaust aftertreatment devices 

To compare costs and estimate fuel savings from 

these technologies, visit the SmartWay Upgrade 

Kit Calculator at 

www.epa.gov/smartway/calculator/loancalc.htm. 

Features: 

• Flexibility -- Custom design a package 

including technologies that best match your 

fleet operations and achieve the greatest fuel 

savings. 

• Attractive Return on Investment --

Depending on technologies selected and the 

operation of your trucks, fuel savings may 

range from 10-15%. 

• Exceptional Loan Terms -- These SBA 

Express loans feature rapid approval, minimal 

paperwork, and no collateral. Contact a 

participating lender for details on the interest 

rates, length of loan, and maximum loan 

amount (typically $25,000).

• Eligibility – Companies with $23.5 million in 

gross receipts or less are eligible for these 

loans.

U.S. EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership 

Contact: Annie Kee at 202-343-9218 or 

SmartWay Info Line at 734-214-4767 

For participating lenders, please visit 

www.epa.gov/smartway

October 2006 y EPA420-F-06-903 
Table: Overview of Fuel-Saving and Emission-Reduction Technolog

Disclaimer: The benefits described in this document are estimations only, which are based on a number of assumptions. Actual fureductions may be higher or lower; they will depend on a variety of factors, including equipment type, driver performance, distance

Technology Description Approximate Cost 

Idle Reduction Device – Bunk Heater

Small, lightweight, diesel fuel-fired device mounted in the cab that provides heat for cab comfort. Does not include any air conditioning capabilities. 

$1,500 A

a

A

Idle Reduction Device – Auxiliary Power Unit Small diesel-powered generator mounted outside the cab that provides heat, air-conditioning, and 

electrical power to run appliances. 

$6,000 - $8,500 A

a

A

Aluminum Wheels for Single Wide Tires Traditional dual tires are replaced with one single wide tire and aluminum wheel. Can 

be applied to all tractor and trailer tire positions except for the steer tires. 

$5,600 A

Trailer Aerodynamics Fairings added to the front and underside of the 

trailer to reduce drag. $2,400 A

Emission Control Device – Oxidation Catalyst 

A device added to the tractor’s exhaust system to reduce the emission of particulate matter and other pollutants. 

$1,200 

2 All savings assume a Class 8B tractor-trailer traveling approximately 100,000 miles per year.