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May 15, 2008 – Vol.13 No.8 Hybra-Drive to Build Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks for Testing. CALSTART's Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) has selected the Deerfield, Michigan firm to build three identical hydraulic hybrid delivery trucks for real-world testing by UPS, FedEx Ground and Purolator. Under the agreement, funded by the US Department of Energy, Hybra-Drive will build and deliver the three Class 6 trucks over the next 9-to-12 months. UPS, FedEx Ground and Purolator then will conduct a 6 to 9 month evaluation of the vehicles. Hybra-Drive hopes the evaluations will demonstrate up to a 60 percent cut in fuel use along with an accompanying reduction in emissions. In a hydraulic hybrid truck, a diesel engine is combined with a hydraulic propulsion system, replacing the conventional drivetrain and transmission. The vehicle uses hydraulic pumps and hydraulic storage tanks to store energy, similar to what is done with electric motors and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles. Fuel economy is increased in three ways: vehicle braking energy is recovered that normally is wasted; the engine is operated more efficiently; and the engine can be shut off when stopped or decelerating.
The national HTUF program is a joint program between CALSTART and the US. Army National Automotive Center (NAC). HTUF works to speed the commercialization of hybrid drivelines that could be used in both military and commercial vehicles. The HTUF program benefits from the participation of over 80 fleets representing roughly one million trucks. CALSTART is a participant-supported organization of more than 155 firms and organizations worldwide, dedicated to expanding and supporting a high-tech transportation industry. Hybra-Drive Systems is a developer of fluid power products and systems engineered for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, off-road, industrial and aerospace markets.
Links: CALSTART Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) Hybra-Drive Systems
Related: CALSTART: Five Major Fuel Cell Bus Projects Now Underway.
Disclaimer, Forward-Looking or Safe Harbor Statement on original press release: No
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