About Idle Free BC

Purpose

Idle-Free BC is where the rubber hits the road. We work to build awareness among fleets and the public about the economic, environmental and health costs of idling and support them in implementing their own idling reduction programs.

We recognize that some idling is required when operating vehicles. Our goal is to help identify ways that fleets and the public can reduce unnecessary idling with minimal impact on day to day operations.

Idling reduction programs deliver large returns on simple actions that require minimal training. However, these programs are only successful if implemented with careful thought and engagement from everyone involved.

Take advantage of the existing resources and best practices to ensure your program is successful.

Why turn it off?

Rising fuel prices, falling budgets, environmental issues as well as community health and safety are of concern to fleet managers and the public. Here are just a few reasons to turn of your engine:

• High fuel costs
• Idling gets you nowhere; with oil prices soaring at over $100 a barrel, every litre counts! Gasoline engines consume 2.5 to 4 litres of gas per hour of idling, while diesel engines consume 1 to 4 litres, depending on various factors.
• Higher maintenance costs
• Idling will lead to more rapid engine oil contamination, due to increased residue in the engine, resulting in an incomplete combustion cycle and condensation of unburned fuel on cylinder walls. Idling decreases the operating life of engine oil by 75%.
• In addition, the unburned fuel residue will damage the engine, and will result in more frequent servicing and repairs of vital parts of the vehicle.
• Increased emissions
• While a vehicle idles, it emits pollutants into the air, including greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, and other pollutants that create smog. These contribute to global warming, and threaten public health with poor air quality.
• Health risks
• Idling in places where there is high pedestrian traffic creates a public health risk of respiratory illnesses, such as asthma. Schools are a particularly dangerous place to idle a vehicle, since children's lungs are less developed, and thus more susceptible to poor air quality.

Who We Are

Idle-Free BC is an initiative hosted by the BC Climate Exchange and represents a partnership between the Fraser Basin Council, the Ministry of Environment and Biofleet.

Contact Us

For information on Idle-Free BC please contact:

Charlotte Argue
Coordinator for Green Fleets BC
604-488-5369
cargue@fraserbasin.bc.ca