Let’s face it: medium- and heavy-duty trucks haven’t always been the “greenest” or most fuel-efficient vehicles on the block. But times have changed, and with the addition of a hybrid truck, your fleet’s operating costs can reflect this now and in the future.
“Fleet owners and operators are concerned about all expenses at this time. And even though fuel costs are relatively low right now, they are expected to go up again significantly,” says Richard Parish, senior program manager, CalStart, a member-supported organization serving to expand the high-tech clean transportation industry, and creators of the Hybrid Truck Users Forum. “We want fleet owners to be prepared.”
Hybrid trucks can help by reducing fuel costs, running quieter, emitting fewer emissions and promoting an overall green image. As an added bonus, tax incentives abound for heavy hybrids (see chart on page 45), and some states even offer their own special incentives. For example, the California Air Resources Board approved $42 million in Air Quality Improvement Program projects under AB118 – including $25 million in funding available for public or private fleets that purchase hybrid trucks.
Inner workings
Parish suggests fleet owners first become familiar with hybrid technology and then consider the many options on the market today.
While hybrid configurations vary slightly depending on manufacturer, a typical system for a medium-duty truck includes an electric generator/motor, a lithium ion battery pack and a diesel engine.
Today’s diesel engines must provide a certain amount of horsepower and torque to muscle through various jobs, but the addition of a hybrid system allows for a downsized engine that does basically the same amount of work.
“The hybrid system’s electric motor provides a supplemental boost of power to launch the vehicle, so the driver can pull his foot off the brake and run the vehicle off that extra horsepower and the battery,” explains Ken Marko, market planning manager, Peterbilt.
