HIGH FUEL COSTS BREAKING THE BANK? 

EPA420-F-07-016 

www.epa.gov/smartway 

April 2007 
THE SMARTWAY TO


SAVE MONEY 

AND REDUCE EMISSIONS


As a truck owner-operator, you want to do all 

you can to lower your costs and save money while 

reducing your impact on the environment. Now, 

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 

collaboration with the Small Business Administration 

(SBA), is offering an innovative way you can do 

just that—by taking advantage of SmartWay 

Financing to offset the cost of purchasing and 

installing the SmartWay Upgrade Kit. 

www.epa.gov/smartway 

2
WHATIS THE SMARTWAY UPGRADE KIT?


The SmartWay Upgrade Kit is an innovative package of technologies that save fuel 

and reduce emissions: 

Idle Reduction Technology 

- Auxiliary power units 

- Generator sets 

- Battery HVAC systems 

- Direct fired heaters 

Low Rolling Resistance Tires 

Tractor and Trailer Aerodynamics 

Exhaust Aftertreatment Devices Idle Reduction 

Technology 

Low Rolling 


Resistance Tires


Tractor and Trailer Aerodynamics 

Exhaust 

Aftertreatment Device 

www.epa.gov/smartway 

3
WHY INSTALL THE 


SMARTWAY UPGRADE KIT? 

SIMPLE. FUEL SAVINGS! 

The EPA has evaluated the Upgrade Kit on Class 8 tractor-trailers, and determined that, 

by installing the kit, the typical long-haul driver can expect about $7,500 per year in fuel 

savings alone. This does not take into account the savings from reduced maintenance 

and longer engine life due to reduced idling. In addition to fuel savings, you will also 

decrease the amount of harmful emissions released into the air. 

HOW MUCH MONEYWILL I ACTUALLY SAVE? 

To find out precisely how much you can save, check out our SmartWay Calculator at 

www.epa.gov/smartway. 

Just enter your annual fuel consumption, annual idling hours and current cost of fuel. Then 

check off how many SmartWay devices you plan to buy, and calculate your fuel savings. 

The more devices you install, the greater the fuel savings. 

www .epa.go v/smar tw a y 

4
WHATIS SMARTWAYFINANCING?


SmartWay Financing provides access to flexible financing options. The EPA has partnered with 

several banks to offer innovative loan packages for the purchase and installation of the 

SmartWay Upgrade Kit. Each owner-operator works directly with a participating bank to obtain 

the loan. 

What Are the Loan Requirements? 

The loan is for the SmartWay Upgrade Kit or individual 


components only.


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

No collateral is required. 

Average loan rate is prime + 4% to 6% (check with individual 


lenders for current rates).


Loan terms range from three to 10 years. 

A processing fee is included, with some banks folding 


the fee into the loan.


“

Patrick Transportation is a family owned and 

operated business. We are always looking for 

ways to upgrade our trucks and 

SmartWay Financing offers a good loan 

opportunity to help us meet our goals.

” 

Tom Gault, Vice President, Patrick Transportation 

Philadelphia, PA 

www.epa.gov/smartway 

5
AS AN OWNER-OPERATOR, 

YOU HAVE MANY CHOICES. 

You may decide to purchase the SmartWay Upgrade Kit for about $16,500 and opt for 

a five-year loan at 12%, or only purchase the APU for about $8,500 with the same loan terms. 

But, because you achieve fuel savings either way, you’ll actually see a profit every month for 

five years and beyond. See the table below for details. 

Monthly Fuel Monthly Loan Net Monthly 

Equipment Cost Savings Payment Savings 

APU $8,500 $330 ($189) $141 

Upgrade Kit $16,500 $636 ($367) $269 

1Assumes 16,667 gallons of fuel consumed annually, $2.75 per gallon of diesel, and 2,400 idling hours annually. 

“

With fuel costs on the rise, the only way 

an owner-operator can get a raise in 

salary is to use less fuel. The SmartWay 

loan program provided an easy and efficient 

way to get a loan to purchase an APU, which 

helped me reduce my fuel consumption and 

save money.

” 

Charles Riley, Infinity Transportation 

Colombia, MO 

www.epa.gov/smartway 

6
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?


To find out more about SmartWay Financing, go to 

www.epa.gov/smartway/financing.htm or call (734) 214-4767. 

The EPA has listed all of our participating banks. You can select the banks that you want to 

work with and contact them for further information on applying for your loan. 

www.epa.gov/smartway 

7
ABOUT SMARTWAY


TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP


What Is the SmartWay Transport Partnership? 

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is an innovative partnership between the US 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry to improve energy 

efficiency and reduce emissions from freight transportation. 

What Does the Partnership Do? 

The SmartWay Transport Partnership encourages freight companies to adopt technologies that 

reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The program works with freight shippers (such as 

IKEA, Nike, Lowe’s and The Home Depot) to ship more of their freight using 

companies participating in the Partnership. 

For more information on the SmartWay Transport Partnership, visit or call: 

www.epa.gov/smartway


(734) 214-4767


www.epa.gov/smartway