Volvo Trucks North America introduced a battery-powered parking cooler as a factory installed option for its VNM 630, VNL 630, VNL 670, VNL 730 and VNL 780 sleeper models.

The parking cooler allows drivers to stay cool in the cab and sleeper without needing to idle the engine while parked. Power comes from four AGM deep cycle batteries located in the in-frame battery box combined with energy from the truck’s starting batteries.

The parking cooler is TMC approved and rated to keep the sleeper as cool as 74 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 10 hours. This allows long-haul drivers to keep the interior cool on their required breaks of at least 6 hours.

To prevent the engine’s starting batteries from running out of juice, the system includes smart energy management software. The parking cooler is operated by an automatic thermostat that controls both air conditioning and heat if the truck is also equipped with an optional parking heater.

The thermostat allows the driver to set the temperature and fan speed to maintain cab comfort. Because it is a factory installed option, the cooler is fully integrated with the sleeper duct work and for service and maintenance, it is accessible through service panels.

The Volvo battery-powered parking cooler is factory installed at Volvo’s New River Valley plant, Dublin, Va., where all Volvo truck models for North America are assembled, and is covered by a three-year warranty.