Vanair Introduces Solar, Battery Power Ecosystem for Class 8 Trucks

Vanair, a Lincoln Electric company, is expanding its EPEQ electrified power equipment platform into the Class 8 trucking market with solar panels, new 12-volt lithium batteries, and other power solutions to help reduce engine idling and extend battery life.

The company unveiled the products during a press conference at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s annual meeting in Nashville.

Solar Panels Designed for Trucks and Trailers

Vanair’s Solar Assist system is a flexible solar panel designed to maintain truck batteries and offset electrical loads when trucks are parked, reducing idling and battery replacements.

“We’re seeing up to a 200% increase in battery life by using these as battery tenders,” said Chip Jones, national manager of Vanair’s Electrified Products Group. “The goal is to keep that battery healthy, keep it charged and topped off so drivers aren’t dealing with dead batteries when it’s time to roll.”

The adhesive-mounted panels are about 1/8 inch thick and flexible enough to mount on curved surfaces such as aerodynamic fairings, cab roofs, or trailer tops — without traditional mounting hardware.

The panels use a mesh-style conductive grid with more than 2,100 conductive pathways. They can continue to produce power even if part of the panel is damaged.

Unlike traditional glass solar panels that rely on direct sunlight for peak performance, Vanair’s system can capture energy in low-light or partially shaded conditions, such as cloudy weather or in the snow.

In testing with a fleet using about 500 watts of solar capacity, Vanair said trucks experienced less than 1% idle time on average over weekends and reduced battery replacements by roughly 70%.

Battery failures are a persistent issue for fleets, particularly as trucks remain in service longer. Replacement batteries can cost $700 to $900 for lead-acid batteries and $800 to $2,000 for AGM batteries, not including labor or downtime.

The solar system can also be installed on trailers to help power refrigeration units, liftgates, and telematics systems, the company said.

Expanding the EPEQ Ecosystem for Class 8

Vanair has offered its EPEQ electrified power equipment platform in the vocational truck market since 2020, providing battery-powered air compressors, welders, hydraulic systems, and AC power for work trucks.

Vanair is now targeting Class 8 trucks with new 12-volt lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries and inverters.

The new ELiMent 12-volt batteries, available in 100-Ah and 200-Ah configurations, can be paired with pure sine wave inverters ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 watts to power onboard electronics, charge tools or support auxiliary loads in day-cab trucks, regional haul vehicles and maintenance trucks.

For higher-demand applications such as sleeper cabs, the system relies on Vanair’s 48-volt lithium battery modules, which can be combined in 5-kW increments up to 30 kW of power.

In those configurations, the system can run hotel loads such as HVAC systems, refrigerators, microwaves, and entertainment equipment during a driver’s rest period without idling the truck engine.

Battery-Powered Hydraulic System

Vanair also showcased its EPEQ EPTO system, a battery-driven hydraulic power solution designed for applications such as bulk trailers, pumps, compressors, and liftgates.

The system can deliver up to 9 gallons per minute of hydraulic flow while operating independently from the truck’s drivetrain. The batteries recharge while the truck is in motion, allowing drivers to power hydraulic equipment at delivery sites without running the engine.

Portable Charging for Electric Trucks

A portable 50-kW DC fast charger, offered under the Lincoln Electric power solutions brand, can charge heavy-duty electric trucks without the need for permanent charging infrastructure. The unit plugs into a 480-volt three-phase outlet.

Jones said the goal is to give fleets a modular system that addresses multiple power needs with one platform.

Vanair also said a truck-mounted version would work well for mobile or rescue charging. In that configuration, the charger is mounted on a service truck along with a PTO-driven generator, allowing fleets or utilities to send a truck to recharge an electric vehicle that has run out of power in the field or needs enough charge to reach a charging station.

“Most electric APU solutions handle hotel loads,” he said. “The EPEQ ecosystem can do that, but it also provides solar charging, hydraulic power, and other auxiliary functions in a single integrated architecture.”