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After 18 months of prototype testing, shipping giant UPS has ordered seven hydraulic hybrid vehicles in the first commercial purchase of the technology that combines a high-efficiency diesel engine with a hydraulic propulsion system.
The deal was announced yesterday in Atlanta's Centennial Park by UPS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, diversified power management firm Eaton Corporation and truck and military vehicle-maker Navistar International Corporation — partners in the project to develop, road test and advance the vehicles toward market release.
The media conference was webcast live by TriplePundit.com.
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Technology for the HHV was originally developed in an EPA lab. The federal agency worked with the other project partners to produce the prototype that in road tests yielded 45 to 50 percent improvement in fuel economy and a 30 percent reduction in C02, when compared to performance of conventional diesel delivery trucks, according to UPS.
"There is no question that hydraulic hybrids, although little known to the public, are ready for prime time use on the streets of America," UPS Chief Operating Officer David Abney said. "We are not declaring hydraulic hybrids a panacea for our energy woes, but this technology certainly is as promising as anything we've seen to date."
Abney pointed to the P1000 HHV prototype, clad in UPS trademark colors and supplied by the EPA, that two 10-year UPS veterans had test-driven on routes in the Detroit area during the 18-month trial period. Except for being larger than the delivery vans often seen in many urban areas, the vehicle looked pretty much like any other UPS truck — a fact Abney noted in his talk.
"Under the hood," Abney said, "it's a completely different story."
The HHV pairs a high-efficiency diesel engine with a hydraulic propulsion system that replaces the conventional drivetrain and transmission. Hydraulic pumps and hydraulic storage tanks store energy, which is similar to what happens with electric motors and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
Beneficial.
Although the design concepts for these hydraulic hybrids vary in a way, the main idea is really beneficial especially for these delivery trucks. Though some still doubt about it's efficiency using hydraulic hybrids against the traditional concept of how to improve gas mileage.
The best transition fuel
If I understand the article correctly this hydraulic propulsion system is a more efficient drive train, getting the energy from the engine to the wheels. The system described in the article could be driven by any engine.
Right now plug-in light duty vehicles are still dependent on fossil fuels. I think renewable Compressed natural Gas is a cleaner option than Biodiesel.
The more you know about renewable biomethane, the more you realize that CNG is the transition fuel we need to use. I want my Prius to run on CNG.
Go to the EPA fuel emissions ratings and you will find that the Honda GX CNG vehicle is rated by the EPA to be "the Cleanest vehicle in the World". (except for pure electric of course)
M. Schultz
Re Electric Plug Ins
There seems to be a misconception that all energy coming from a plug is clean. Unfortunately 50% of our electricity comes from coal fired plants. Tons of CO2 mercury, radioactive materials, etc, etc. It's bad stuff and we need treat it as such.
When you take the overall efficiency of the total process from the dirty coal fired boilers to the usable energy that end up in the vehicle it turns out that over 50% of it is lost in the generation/transmission/charging process.
When we get solar, wind and/or geothermal power plants displacing coal we'll be in great shape. Meanwhile an improvement in efficiency by whatever means is a good thing.
Another Step with More to Come
The Board member from Plug In America notes that hydraulic hybrids are still powered with fossil fuel and that electric plug ins will likely be available sooner.
Although the article doesn't mention the use of biodiesel, this would undoubtedly reduce dependence on fossil fuel use as well as reducing emissions. And even if the vehicle manufacturer has concerns about biodiesel use on these highly sensitive, emerging technologies, by 2010 we will have renewable diesel fuel available in the U.S. which meets the petroleum ASTM975 standard, thereby eliminating the traditional concerns with biodiesel use. As a result, I believe diesel hybrids of all types, with renewable diesel fuel offer the best and quickest opportunity for reducing emissions AND dependence on fossil fuels.
Great
Coke is already doing it :) Totally electric which is even better ...
Coke Electric Trucks