In the first quarter of 2018, a whopping 272.1 million vehicles were in operation in the United States. That’s a 3.8 million increase from the previous year!
And you know what drove much of that increase? Trucks. Vehicle makers sold a staggering 2.8 million units of mid and full-size trucks in 2017.
There’s no doubt that pickups rule the road, with full-size trucks making up 15.3% of the largest U.S. vehicle segment. After all, they’re powerful, fast, and of course, they look awesome.
But did you know that your choice between incandescent vs LED truck lights can affect all that?
That’s right. If your truck still got incandescent lights, it’s time to say goodbye to them and switch to LED. We’ll tell you exactly why, so be sure to keep reading!
Incandescent vs LED Energy Use
Incandescent lights convert only 10% of the energy they consume into light. The rest, as in 90% of that energy, they convert into heat.
That heat doesn’t have any use, so the energy that went into producing that pretty much goes to waste. Unless you use your lights as some sort of warmer, which you likely don’t, as that’s what your truck’s heater is for.
Whereas LED light bulbs convert 90% of the energy they draw from the battery into light. True, they still produce heat (the remaining 10%), but that’s a lot less than incandescent.
So, what’s that got to do with your truck’s power? First, a longer lasting battery life, since LED lights consume less energy. This decreased energy consumption means reduced toll on your truck’s battery.
In the long run, LED lights’ reduced energy consumption means increased mileage. This advantage of LED lights vs incandescent should be enough reason for you to make the switch.
Greater Safety with LED Lights’ Directional Light
Incandescent bulbs produce omnidirectional light or light that goes to every direction. This spread of light makes them inefficient because a lot of the light goes to areas you don’t need light for.
Take your headlights, for example, which you turn on to illuminate the road right in front of you. With incandescent lights, the light spreads every which way. As a result, it’s hard to see things clearly, especially at night or when it’s foggy or hazy.
This is where the output advantage of a LED light vs incandescent bulb becomes evident. LEDs are directional by nature, so their light illuminates 180 degrees of an area. With LED headlights, that means light focused and concentrated on the road ahead of you.
LED lights are also brighter than incandescent lights, another plus during night driving. Studies, like this one, also found (and proved) that LED helps boost visual performance.
You only have to think of the 40,000 lives lost in 2017 due to road accidents to make you want a safer ride. Swapping your factory-installed incandescent lights with LED can help make your truck safer.
LEDs are Better for Mother Nature
Although LEDs are brighter, they still consume 80% less energy than incandescent lights. So, not only do they convert less energy into heat, they consume far less energy too!
And it’s not only you who benefits — less energy use means less stress on the environment. A reduction in energy consumption translates to a reduction in greenhouse gases. By switching to LEDs now, you’ll see a drop in your trucking activities’ carbon footprint.
So you know, global LED light use in buildings reduced CO emissions by 570 million tons in 2017. That’s like closing down some 160 coal-using power plants.
One LED Bulb = 50 Traditional Incandescent Bulbs
In general, an LED bulb has a 50,000-hour life span. Whereas an incandescent bulb goes out after (or even before) it serves you for 1,000 hours. That means for every 50 incandescent lights you purchased, you only needed one LED bulb.
Their longer life span means consumers would need to buy fewer of them. In fact, high-quality LED truck lights can last for as long as your ride itself! Imagine how much savings you can enjoy if you made the switch now.
Also, longer-lasting life spans mean manufacturers would produce fewer of these LED bulbs. That means a decrease in materials and energy used in their production. Plus, fewer of them would end up as landfill waste, further making LED the greener choice.
LED Lights for Reduced Risks of Accidents
You may be a prudent driver, but what if you get a blown incandescent headlight during a night drive? That can be one of the most dangerous situations you may find yourself in. Not to mention having the 5-0 pull you over for a busted light.
Or let’s say you’re reversing. But because you’ve got weak taillights, you didn’t notice an object behind your truck. Even if it won’t cause a major accident, bumping into that can ruin your ride’s paint job.
LED truck lights, be it headlights or taillights, can help you prevent these accidents.
Waterproof LED Bulbs
Condensation in your truck’s exterior lights makes for hazy, even dangerous lighting. The shadows the light cast can make you confused, which in turn can hinder your driving abilities. This moisture is often due to a cracked headlamp or taillight.
Here’s some good news: You can replace those with waterproof LED lights! These lights feature safety coating materials, sealing the bulbs’ fragile electronic parts. With these in your truck, you can drive much more safely, even in the rain.
Bonus: You Can Get LED Lights in Various Whites
Unlike incandescent lights that only produce yellow light, LEDs produce various-colored lights. You can get LED bulbs that give off warm or soft white light, which has a tinge of yellow. This is a good option for your truck’s interior lighting.
For exterior lights, stick to the bright white LEDs, which produce whiter, cooler light. This is better for illuminating the road and your surroundings. Also, if you plan to get extra truck safety lights, go for bright white LEDs.
Make the Switch to LEDs Now
True, the main advantage of incandescent vs LED lights is the former’s affordability. LEDs cost more upfront, so expect to shell out more money once you make the switch. But with all the benefits of LED bulbs, that higher price is worth investing on.
Ready to see the difference LED lights can make for your truck? Then you may want to check out our huge collection of truck and trailer lights! From LED lamps to LED markers, we’ve got all your LED truck light needs covered.
