Paccar’s Medium & Heavy Duty Hybrid Trucks

December 29th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
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Paccar Inc. is leading the way to a hybrid future in commercial hauling.

Though few outside of the trucking industry ever think about it, the amount of fuel consumption used in commercial hauling dwarfs the use by commuters and everyday drivers. While the idea of transportation costs is starting to affect the public, one company has been working for years to reduce the environmental impact of long-haul trucking.

Paccar Inc. is based in Bellevue, Washington and is leading the way in terms of commercial trucking hybrids. In September 2008, their Kenworth and Peterbilt lines began making medium-duty hybrids, which they leased in a pilot program to Coca-Cola and throughout Europe. They have also won several awards, including the Enviromental Protection Agency’s Smartway designation and the National Medal of Technology for it’s innovations in green trucking.

Paccar’s hybrid versions of commercial trucks do cost upwards of $40,000 more than the same truck built to use conventional fuel. This cost barrier may prohibit some companies from making the leap to green transportation. One thing that could help is tax advantages set in place by the incoming US administration of Barack Obama. Many companies, though in theory committed to being green, are not willing to incur major losses to save the planet and will need a financial incentive to do so.

One of Paccar’s greatest partners in their eco-push has been Eaton Corp., a mechanics manufacturer that helps Paccar improve trucks’ fuel economy by configuring hybrid systems which harness energy while the truck is breaking and store it for later use.  One of the greatest challenges these two face are customizing trucks. Different trucking needs result in having to reconfigure the hybrid components of each truck, which can be a time-consuming and expensive process. This article, by IndustryWeek really looks into the ins and outs of Paccar and Eaton’s partnership. It’s pretty interesting to see how a components manufacturer and end unit company can work together to innovate a whole industry.

There Are 4 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by FRED GALBRAITH on 17 February 2009:

    We are the towing contractor for the city of Vancouver BC, Canada.
    We presently have over 50 trucks on our fleet.

    Would you forward me info on Hybrid trucks we could use for flatdeck and single axle tow trucks.

    With the Olympics coming in 2010 we were thinking of putting a pilot project on using Hybrid Tow Trucks.

    Would it be possible to discuss this further with your management.

    Regards

  2. Comment by Ed R Rizarri on 21 May 2009:

    I am the local Eaton rep in Vancouver. Our Eaton hybrid system is already used/approved for recovery vehicle. International had the first unit built. Other OEMs that our Eaton Hybrid is available are Kenworth, Peterbilt & Freightliner and others. Please call me at 604-272-5905 (office) or 604-351-0170 (cell) so we can discuss the Eaton Hybrid. Thanks.

  3. Comment by Andy Andreasen on 30 May 2009:

    I just found a commercial hybrid truck with capability for tow or removal body.

    check out International Dura Star Hybrid. It is a class 6 truck.

    http://www.internationaltrucks.com/portal/site/ITrucks/menuitem.451c44823ae76e484b8e89106e9c8a0c/?vgnextoid=52c1f135fc55e110VgnVCM10000024c9a8c0RCRD&search=vgnextoid%3D8e793d9e417dd010VgnVCM1000002101010aRCRD%26appInstanceName%3Dnull%26vgnExtIsComponentReset%3Dnull%26view%3Dgrid%26series%3DDURASTAR

    All the above should take you to the hybrid site.

    Good luck!

  4. Comment by Landon on 2 June 2009:

    Hybrid is the future but we are still stuck in the 1800´s with piston engiens when we have the tech. to produce micro turbines and alternitivly far superior powerplants to provide locamotion electric drive train´s are the future LESS MOVING PARTS! And alternitive configurations come on re-invent the wheel allready!!! when we started building Autos the electric car was first in line then Ford killed the concept with cheep cars we are stuck in the Present Past with reinvented ancient tech. We can even grow our fuel that burns clean just make it happen STUPID GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!!!!! Just make it happen people. We are in DEBT at war and unemployed Mass globel change can stop it all!!!! I am building a Hybrid calss 8 truck that is turbine over electric and this thing is going to wow!!!

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