LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Caterpillar says the MorElectric system it is developing will bring a host of critical benefits to the trucking market, including an up to eight percent fuel savings, improved engine accessories reliability and durability, reduced emissions, and solutions to address idling-related issues.

Caterpillar introduced the system last year and is completing the product development, with on-road performance testing this year followed by, in first quarter 2004, field-testing to accumulate several million miles.

MorElectric system will be introduced to the market in January 2005. The initial market entry product includes a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) module, an engine-mounted belt-driven 7 kW generator, and two idling reduction options: an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and a Shore-Power Plug-In.

“This is not just an add-on hardware approach. We have developed a highly integrated system specifically designed to meet the needs of the truck industry while minimizing weight and costs,” adds David Orr, the system’s general manager.

Although the MorElectric system is produced by Cat Electronics, it is being sold independent of Cat engines and can be installed on any truck and any engine.