Dragonfly Energy came to the Technology & Maintenance Council spring meetings with a new product it says provides idle-free cab comfort without putting strain on the truck’s starter batteries.

Its Battle Born DualFlow Power Pack (DFPP) is a lithium power system installed inside the sleeper cab under the bunk that will support in-cab heating and air-conditioning without start/stop requirements on the main engine.

When the truck is in motion, the system is recharged using Dragonfly’s Wakespeed Charge Control system. Wade Seaburg, chief commercial officer for Dragonfly Energy, said during a press conference that the new system is perfect for the 75% of fleets that don’t spec’ air-conditioning in the bunk.

“Less than 25% of fleets get factory installed air-conditioning in their bunks,” he said. “However, [nearly] 100% get bunk heaters put in. That gap right there tells us a lot. Fleets want driver comfort but they tools they’ve had like traditional APUs and auto start/stop haven’t always delivered the expected results or the ROI the fleets have been looking for.”

The DualFlow Power Pack delivers an ROI in less than a year, Seaburg claimed. In addition to eliminating idling over an entire 10-hour rest period, the elimination of engine start/stops extends battery life and reduces the likelihood of draining battery voltage.

“Battery voltage is the most common reason a truck auto-starts but there’s no reason it should kick on in a 10-hour rest period,” Seaburg said.

The DFPP provides the driver with the in-cab temperature control and hotel loads needed for the first six or seven hours of a 10-hour rest period, with the AGM batteries providing power for the remaining few hours.

“It gets you through the 10-hour rest period and reduces cycling of the AGM batteries so they can make it longer through the trade cycle,” Seaburg explained, noting some large U.S. fleets have been testing the product. 

“As the longhaul segment looks for practical ways to incorporate electric power, we see the DualFlow Power Pack as a form of hybrid electrification that delivers real savings and efficiency that just makes good business sense,” he added.

“Built for the hardworking men and women who keep America moving, we believe it provides a reliable and affordable way to keep trucks powered and running efficiently. Fleets need practical, cost-effective solutions today, not just future promises. We believe this system helps them cut fuel costs, extend battery life, and reduce emissions without overhauling their existing infrastructure — making life on the road easier while driving real sustainability.”