Overview of hybrid truck types

When looking to move your fleet from standard work trucks to hybrid models, there are several different options to look at. Because work trucks have a much wider variety of uses compared to passenger vehicles, the mechanical needs of such trucks are much greater and though they can utilize hybrid technology to cut costs and environmental damage, they must use hybrid technology in different ways.

Parallel diesel hybrids
Eaton Corporation has developed the diesel electric hybrid, which closely resembles the way hybrid technology works in passenger vehicles. Diesel fuels an electric generator which then charges a battery that turns the trucks axels, allowing it to move forward. Energy normally lost during breaking is stored and used to further power the vehicle as well, making this type of engine technology ideal for stop-and-go traffic. Coca-Cola is among the companies first major orders and plans to use these trucks for delivery.

Hybrid hydraulics
According to nextenergy.org, hybrid hydraulics captures the vehicle’s kinetic energy during breaking by pumping hydraulic fluid from the low-pressure reservoir to the high-pressure accumulator. The fluid compresses nitrogen gas in the high-pressure accumulator and pressurizes the system. This recovered energy is used to supplement or substitute the engine’s power during acceleration. This system can even be installed on existing work trucks.

Natural Gas / Plug-In Hybrid Electric
Odyne recently unveiled the first hybrid truck that uses compressed natural gas to power its engine, combined with batteries that are recharged by plugging them in each night.  The rechargeable electric hybrid drive system was displayed in a refuse vehicle (aka a garbage truck) that will be used by the city of Fresno, California and is expected to reduce fuel costs by 40%.

UPS is in the process of unveiling how it will use hybrid technology in its own delivery vehicles to cut down on fuel wasted in city traffic. UPS has partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to build a fleet of delivery trucks that will both save the company money and save the environment.

For a detailed look at what hybrid work trucks were showcased at 2008’s Work Truck Show, visit this site and check back on the hybridtruck.net blog for more information on how hybrid work trucks can save your company money and who is buying the existing trucks and becoming more competitive.