MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Petro Stopping Centers and OPTIMA Batteries have teamed up to provide truck owners and operators access to the advanced technology in heavy-duty commercial batteries.

Beginning April 1, 2004, Petro began stocking OPTIMA’s Group 31 YellowTop batteries at participating locations nationwide.

This partnership makes OPTIMA batteries accessible to over 100,000 truckers that utilize Petro Truck Stops on a weekly basis. OPTIMA’s Group 31 battery fits most class 6, 7, and 8 commercial trucks, and is available at many of the 60 nationwide Petro locations. Commercial truckers can now purchase a quality battery at a truck stop known for its quality products and outstanding customer service.

"We choose to align ourselves with the most respected brands on the market," said Steve Scharnhorst, OPTIMA’s General Manager. "Petro Truck Stops and OPTIMA Batteries are quality leaders within the commercial trucking industry. This partnership gives us the perfect opportunity to provide more drivers with high-performance OPTIMA batteries at convenient, customer-friendly locations while on long, cross-country hauls."

With increasing electrical demands and regulations being placed on drivers today, truckers need a reliable power source that will get them where they need to go, said Dave Latimer, Petro’s Vice President. The superior SpiralCell Technology of an OPTIMA battery meets these growing demands and makes stocking our shelves with this product an easy decision, he added.

Recent issues affecting owner/operators include anti-idling laws, driver’s hours regulations, increased operating costs and increased electrical draw. These issues have created a need for retailers to provide batteries that can handle the extreme electrical loads of commercial trucks to their customers. OPTIMA’s Group 31 YellowTop battery provides more cycling capabilities and recharge properties as well as increased reserve capacity, which is becoming more and more important to drivers everywhere. A detailed report of the benefits of advanced technology batteries within heavy-duty trucking applications can be found at: www.stirmarketing.com/whitepaper

For more information visit www.johnsoncontrols.com, www.optimabatteries.com or www.autobatteries.com