Trucks of Tomorrow

Trucks of Tomorrow

Moving Alberta's trucks to a fuel-efficient future

Trucks of Tomorrow was an 18-month, $2 million incentive program launched in May 2009 to provide rebates and education that encouraged commercial vehicle operators to adopt fuel-efficient and aerodynamic technologies. It came to its scheduled end on December 31, 2011.





 
City of Calgary Pilots Hybrid Work Truck

Got a Question or Comment?

Do municipalities qualify for any of the rebates?
Yes, but only for hybrid vehicles. Municipalities that purchase a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle are eligible for a $7,000 rebate. Municipalities are not eligible for rebates on auxiliary power units, cab heaters and coolers, end fairings, gap fairings or trailer skirts. Read More
When does the program end?
December 31, 2011.
I have already reached the company maximum of $30,000. Now that the maximum has been increased to $60,000 can I apply again?
Yes, owner-operators and fleet managers who have already participated in the program are eligible to apply for more upgrades and can claim a total of $60,000 in rebates over the duration of the program. Start by reserving more money in your company's name, and come back with receipts to complete your claim before December 31, 2011. Read More
I have already purchased and installed my equipment, do I still qualify?
As long as you purchased your equipment on or after May 31, 2010 you still qualify even if your equipment has already been installed. You will still have to go through the reservation process but can complete the claim process immediately afterwards. Read More
I have machinery that meets the weight requirement but would not be classified as a truck, does it qualify?
Agricultural machinery and construction equipment other than trucks do not qualify. That includes combines, front-end loaders, farm tractors, bobcats and bulldozers and any other equipment not primarily intended for the road. Read More
What if my VIN has more/fewer digits?
The system only accepts standard 17 digit VINs. If yours is different (because you may have an imported truck), please email us and we'll help. Trucking@climatechangecentral.com Read More
I don't see the equipment I want to buy on your list / I sell equipment that's not on your list... can I add it to your program?
The equipment on our list is based directly on the US EPA's SmartWay program's list of verified equipment, and we are only able to provide rebates for certain categories of equipment from within their list (for example, trailer skirts, cab heaters, etc). To inquire with EPA about becoming verified, please contact them directly at smartway-tech@epa.gov. If your equipment is not in the categories we have rebates for, we will not be able to add them, unfortunately. However, please feel free to send us any product information so we know of your equipment. Read More
Are municipalities eligible for rebates?
Sorry, this program is for private sector commercial heavy duty vehicles. Feel free to make use of the information on this site, or come to workshops, but to be eligible for rebates, you must represent an Alberta company. Read More
Can I apply for several companies that I represent?
Each company that owns and operates eligible heavy duty vehicles can apply for rebates. As a courtesy, this website lets you hold funds in advance of installing equipment so you know the money will be available for you when you complete the work. However, the tool that reserves funds remembers you by your email address. As a result, you can only hold funds for one company with your email address. Someone else from the other company will have to reserve funds with their email address. Read More
I just want to confirm that we don't have to make the upgrades first before entering anything here?
No - this is just where you let us know the upgrades you plan to make so we can hold the funds for you. If we didn't hold funds this way, other companies could use up the money between now and when you have completed your upgrades. When you're done installing the technology, come back and submit your claim -keep the receipts! Read More
I want to reserve funds for my company but I'm wondering if we're committed to what we select today. What if we change our minds on some things later?
That's ok! Tell us what you think you plan to install as of now. We'll reserve the funds for you for up to six months. If you later decide to make some adjustments to your initial plan, you still can, BUT if you decide to do less than you check off today, those unused dollars go back into the pot for other companies that might be in queue. If you decide to do more upgrades, you can enter your additions, the system will first check to see if money is available and then accept or reject them. Read More
I own my own truck and I'm not part of a fleet. Are the rebates just for fleets?
Owner-operators are eligible too! The rebates are available to all eligible trucking companies in Alberta whether you're on your own or part of a larger fleet.

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Hybrid

Hybrid drivetrains are now available for heavy duty vehicles whose duty cycles involve a repeated stop-and-go pattern. The electric motor is more efficient than gas or diesel, and regenerative braking helps to capture energy when slowing the vehicle. Hybrid heavy duty vehicles have been very successful in reducing costs and emissions for refuse trucks, pickup and delivery service, and utility trucks with ancillary equipment. What's more, they are quieter, often silent on standby, creating safer work environments, especially for utility trucks. Apply Now

Fuel
Savings

12,500 L/yr
(based on 50,000 L/yr)

GHG
Reductions

35 tonnes/yr

Estimated
Investment

$35,000+
(incremental cost)

Max.
Rebate

$7,000
(available to 10 companies)

Eligible
Equipment

Hybrid Eligible Equipment

Hybrids

Cab Heaters/Coolers

Typically, when drivers are in need of a rest they are forced to idle their 400 hp engine to maintain comfortable conditions in the cab. Diesel-fired cab heaters avoid this while using 8 to 10 times less fuel, often while pre-heating the engine. The same fuel reductions can be experienced with battery operated air conditioners which use electric fans and cooling systems to cool the cab while the engine is off, avoiding the need to idle. Running a 400 hp engine for extended periods leads to carbon build-up, blowby and oil degradation. To be eligible for the rebate, the cab heater needs to be installed in such a way that the truck's heater core and fan (or an auxiliary heater core and fan) can be operated while the engine is off.

Fuel
Savings

5,300 L/yr
(in Canadian conditions)

GHG
Reductions

14 tonnes/yr

Estimated
Investment

Less than $2,000

Max.
Rebate

$400
(one per truck)

Eligible
Equipment

Cab Heaters Eligible Equipment

Cab Heaters

Auxiliary Power Units

Rather than idling a 400 hp engine just for lights or cab heat, auxiliary power units (APUs) provide all of the same conveniences without the wasted fuel costs. APUs are diesel-powered generator sets that produce 12 or 120 volt electricity for cab conveniences, refrigeration units, heat for cab comfort and engine warming and sometimes other functions like air conditioning or running hydraulic pumps.

Fuel
Savings

5,500 L/yr

GHG
Reductions

13.5 tonnes/yr

Estimated
Investment

$6,000-8,500

Max.
Rebate

$1,500
(one per truck)

Eligible
Equipment

Auxiliary Power Units Eligible Equipment

Auxiliary Power Units

Gap Fairings

Between the truck's cab and the front of the trailer lies a gap that attracts turbulence and robs fuel economy. Gap fairings fill this space (aerodynamically or physically) making the vehicle more stable in crosswinds and therefore more fuel-efficient.

Fuel
Savings

730 L/yr

GHG
Reductions

2 tonnes/yr

Estimated
Investment

$850

Max.
Rebate

$300
(one per trailer)

Eligible
Equipment

Gap Fairings Eligible Equipment

Gap Fairings

Skirts

Trailer skirts reduce drag by keeping turbulence away from the undercarriage of a trailer thereby smoothing airflow around the trailer. They are available in a variety of configurations, including flat beds and sliding bogeys (moveable rear wheels).

Fuel
Savings

2,560 L/yr

GHG
Reductions

5 tonnes/yr

Estimated
Investment

$2,000 per pair

Max.
Rebate

$500
(one pair per rebate)

Eligible
Equipment

Skirts Eligible Equipment

Skirts

End Fairings

Trailer end fairings (also known as boat tails or base flaps) reduce drag up to 10% at highway speed. This technology re-shapes the rear of the trailer reducing the pocket of negative pressure behind the moving vehicle.

Fuel
Savings

1,830 L/yr

GHG
Reductions

4 tonnes/yr

Estimated
Investment

$2,000

Max.
Rebate

$400
(one per trailer)

Eligible
Equipment

End Fairings Eligible Equipment

End Fairings