Hybrid trucks make inroads in US
Sat 13 January 2007
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The commercialisation of hybrid trucks in North America is gathering pace. Volvo has won contracts with the US Air Force to develop hybrid trucks based while ArvinMeritor is developing heavy duty diesel-electric drive line for Wal-Mart Transportation.
Volvo says that its hybrid system can cut fuel consumption by up to 35% using a traditional diesel engine, a Volvo I-Shift automated transmission and an electronic motor. Volvo says the firm plans civilian versions of the truck being supplied to the US Air Force. The trucks will be tested in 2007-2008 and start production in 2009.
Meanwhile, ArvinMeritor says it will develop the first dual-mode heavy duty diesel-electric drive line in the US for Wal-Mart Transportation. The firm says the technology will cut fuel consumption, emissions and maintenance costs for the Cummins powered International Class 8 ProStar tractor.
Wal-Mart says that it plans to double the fuel efficiency for its heavy duty truck fleet over the next ten years.
In Australia, Clean Air Power says it has won a £1.5m order to supply between 50 and 70 of its Dual-Fuel gas and diesel fuel engine conversions to Mitchell Corporation, a transport firm in Perth, Western Australia. The deal involves fitting both new and existing trucks with equipment to enable them to run on liquid natural gas. The order follows a trial that the company claims will give annual fuel savings of up to £40,000 from each of the 14 trucks involved.
Related Documents
Trucknews website link - Volvo story
Wal-Mart story link
Clean Air Power news link
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