MY ETT News » hybrid

Alberta offers rebates for fuel-saving equipment

Mryan — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:43:38 +0000

Effective June 1, the Canadian province of Alberta will make available $2 million in incentives for truckers who choose to invest in fuel-saving technologies. The program’s eligible technologies include: trailer skirts and fairings ($500); end fairings ($500); cab heaters ($400); auxiliary power units ($1,500); gap fairings ($300); and hybrid commercial vehicles ($7,000). In addition, 25 participating fleets will receive an analysis on furthering their fuel, as well as workshops for operators on maximizing performance by reducing their fuel costs. The program is being administred by Climate Change Central. For more information, visit www.trucksoftomorrow.com.

CALGARY, Alta. — Alberta is the latest province to provide rebates for truckers who invest in fuel-saving technologies.

The province has made $2 million available in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector by 97,000 tonnes per year. The rebate program, announced May 31, goes into effect June 1.

“With 80% of greenhouse gas emissions coming from the tailpipe, we all have a crucial role to play in improving Alberta’s fuel efficiency,” said Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner. “Alberta’s trucking industry drives our economy and this program is an environmental and economic win-win for the sector and province.”

Click here to visit Truck News and read the complete story.

Hybrids Place Little Strain on Fleet Repair Resources

Mryan — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:54:40 +0000

For Class 8 trucks, hybrid engine technology is years away, but already in other medium- and heavy-duty applications, the innovation is paying off, and not just with fuel savings of 30 percent or more. Shorter downtimes, simple maintenance and mile after environmentally friendly mile for forward thinking fleets are among the bonuses for the forward-thinking fleets like UPS, FedEx and Coca Cola who’ve invested in the technology. Typically, routine maintenance involves little more than changing an air filter on the hybrid system’s air-cooled battery and checking the battery’s coolant reservoir.

Hybrid engine technology is not yet ready for Class 8 over-the-road trucks, but it is making inroads in other heavy- and medium-duty applications and appears to be performing well, both on the road and in the shop.

The technology so far has added little maintenance work to technicians’ duties, officials with FedEx Corp., UPS Inc., Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Florida Power & Light Co. and the New York City Department of Sanitation said in separate interviews.

Routine maintenance typically involves periodically changing an air filter on the hybrid system’s air-cooled battery and checking the battery’s coolant reservoir, with intervals depending on a company’s duty cycle.

Click here to visit Transport Topics and read the complete story.

UPS Adds 50 Hybrid Trucks in Philadelphia Area

Mryan — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:12:17 +0000

The addition of 50 hybrid delivery trucks in the Philadelphia area brings UPS Inc.’s total fleet of low-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles to 20,000. Delivery routes in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix have already incorporated hybrid trucks, and plans call for the addition of more in eight U.S. cities. The carrier is estimating that these 200 hybrids will help reduce fuel consumption by 176,000 gallons per year compared with conventional diesel trucks.

UPS Inc. said it has deployed 50 hybrid electric delivery trucks to its fleet in the Philadelphia area.

The hybrids join 50 hybrid trucks already operating for UPS in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix, UPS said Thursday.

UPS has about 20,000 low-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles in its fleet. The new hybrids are part of a set of 200 hybrids being deployed in eight U.S. cities.

Click here to visit Transport Topics and read the complete story.

Carrier Transicold introduces new hybrid refrigeration unit

Mryan — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:37:27 +0000

Featuring numerous next-generation technologies, Carrier Transicold’s new hybrid refrigeration unit, the Vector 6600MT, offers high refrigeration capacity and up to 20 percent more fuel efficiency than its predecessor. However, like the company’s Vector 6500 unit, it uses Carrier’s exclusive Deltek diesel-electric technology for high operating efficiencies, reduced maintenance requirements versus conventional belt-drive systems, and an electric standby option for stationary units.

Next-Gen Carrier Hybrid Refrigeration Unit Boasts Increased Fuel Efficiency

On March 24, Carrier Transicold unveiled the Vector 6600MT, a new hybrid trailer refrigeration unit featuring next-generation technologies. The Vector 6600MT unit provides high refrigeration capacity and delivers up to 20 percent greater fuel-efficiency than its predecessor.

Along with the company’s Vector 6500 unit, the new Vector 6600MT takes advantage of Carrier’s exclusive Deltek diesel-electric technology for high operating efficiencies, reduced maintenance requirements versus conventional belt-drive systems, and an electric standby option for stationary units. In addition, technological enhancements to system components and operating software and a more efficient system design enable higher performance and greater efficiencies than possible with Carrier’s first-generation hybrid systems.

Click here to visit CCJ and read the complete story.

No time to be idle: Suppliers team up on solutions

Mryan — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:56:08 +0000

Partnerships among manufacturers of idle-reduction systems could pay off both for customers and the OEMs. By pooling resources, vendors potentially tap into greater innovations that offer higher returns on investment for customers, and fleets benefit from utilizing more advanced equipment. OEMs agreed that to succeed in the manufacture of idle-reduction systems, for example, they had to constantly seek out innovations and improvements, and with the struggling economy, there wasn’t much profit to be had in trucking.

Partnerships Lead to More Advanced Idle-Reduction Systems for Customers

Manufacturers of idle-reduction systems have begun combining their strengths to create solutions that meet user needs across a wider spectrum of applications. It’s a trend likely to increase with time. Last February, for example, Bergstrom, Inc. and Kohler Power Systems announced that the companies had joined forces to offer a “hybrid” idle-reduction system.

“We have partnered with Bergstrom to create a new hybrid power system,” said Sean Kenefick, sales manager for Kohler. “Basically, it pairs the new battery-driven NITE Plus system from Bergstrom, which is 30% more powerful but has the same footprint as the original NITE system, with Kohler’s 3APU power unit. The Bergstrom system manages the heating and cooling while the Kohler unit recharges the batteries. The only time that the system is not CARB-approved is when the battery charger is running, but we are working now to get full system approval.

Click here to visit Fleet Owner and read the complete story.

Golden State kicks in $20 million for hybrid trucks and buses

Mryan — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:58:45 +0000

On the first day funds were available through the joint funding program between the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the CA-based Clean Transportation Technologies and Solutions (CalStart) organization, $5 million went out. To organizers, that indicates a “pent-up” demand for hybrid technologies. The $20-million Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) is intended to spur the deployment of hybrid commercial vehicles throughout the state. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligibility for HVIP grants is based on the purchase of selected hybrid vehicles. Fleet owners must also agree to register and operate the vehicle in California for at least three years.

California Program Awards $20 Million to Boost Use of Hybrids

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has officially opened its $20-million Hybrid Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) this week to help spur deployment of hybrid commercial vehicles on California’s roads.

The program – managed by the Pasadena, CA-based Clean Transportation Technologies and Solutions (CalStart) organization, which is comprised of more than 140 firms, fleets and agencies – offers funding incentives ranging from $10,000 to $45,000 per vehicle.

Click here to visit Fleet Owner and read the complete story.

The future of high tech trucks is now

Mryan — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:40:46 +0000

The future of trucking will see a stronger OEM relationship with its customers, in terms of monitoring equipment sold, as well as more of a mass market appeal for hybrids, according to experts at the recent Heavy Duty Dialogue 2010 in Las Vegas. With new truck sales lagging behind, the panel has already seen a growth in OEMs’ interest in telematic implementation and upkeep of sophisticated software platforms. But the next phase of that equipment monitoring will focus on driver behavior.

OEM Interest in Technology Boosted by Lagging Sales

LAS VEGAS — While the past decade served mainly as an R&D period for advanced truck technologies, the next 10 years is when telematic and hybrid systems will really mature for real-world use.

That was the word from a trio of experts at the Heavy Duty Dialogue 2010 here in Las Vegas during a panel discussion on trucking technology, titled The Next 10 Years.

Clem Driscoll of research firm CJ Driscoll & Associates said that while many fleets have experimented with various telematic technology in a portion of their fleet, the economy of scale is improving so quickly that implementing such products in many more trucks working in a wider variety of applications is inevitable over the next decade.

Click here to visit Today’s Trucking and read the complete story.

Battery breakthrough needed for EV, hybrid success

Mryan — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:41:25 +0000

A “major breakthrough” in battery technology is a must to boost the demand for all-electric and hybrid electric vehicles, according to a study recently released by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Without it, the high-tech vehicles will never have a mass market appeal. The study indicated that if they higher prices had a quicker return – around three years instead of as many as 10 – the public would be more willing to make the higher investment up front.

Battery Breakthrough Needed to Boost Mass Market Hybrid Appeal

A new study by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) concludes that a major breakthrough in battery technology is necessary in order to foster “mass market” demand for all-electric and hybrid electric vehicles within the next decade. Without such a breakthrough, the firm determined, all-electric and hybrid vehicles will remain too expensive – both in terms production costs and sticker price – to penetrate the market in large numbers.

“For years, people have been saying that one of the keys to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels is the electrification of the vehicle fleet,” said Xavier Mosquet, leader of BCG’s global automotive practice and a co-author of the study. “The reality is electric-car batteries are both too expensive and too technologically limited for this to happen in the foreseeable future.”

Click here to visit Fleet Owner and read the complete story.

Thermo King offers discounts on anti-idling device, APUs

Mryan — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:18:37 +0000

Thermo King has announced discounts for its customers in Canada and the U.S. on preventative maintenance services for its TriPac Hybrid Auxiliary Idle Reduction and Temperature Management System (APU). in time for the winter season. This promotion runs now through Jan. 29, 2010, at participating Thermo King dealers across North America. For additional information, contact your local Thermo King dealer.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Thermo King has announced discounts on preventative maintenance services for the industry-leading TriPac Hybrid Auxiliary Idle Reduction and Temperature Management System (APU).

Customers in Canada and the U.S. can save up to $40 on preventative maintenance services, heater services and filter kits for the TriPac system in time for the winter season. This promotion runs now through January 29th 2010 at participating Thermo King dealers across North America.

Click here to visit Today’s Trucking and read the complete story.

“Quietness” of hybrids deemed safety risk

Mryan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:40:38 +0000

Though they offer reduced carbon footprints and greater economy, hybrid cars and trucks, would you believe, are too good to be true? That’s according to the New York personal injury firm of Schwartzapfel Truhowsky Marcus P.C., which claims the “quietness” of these vehicles put pedestrians and bicycle riders at greater risk. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report released this year indicated that hybrid electric vehicles were involved in a greater number of crashes between these two groups. To improve safety, the newly proposed federal Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 would require federal transportation safety regulators to set a minimum noise level for vehicles.

Steven J. Schwartzapfel, a partner in the New York personal injury firm of Schwartzapfel Truhowsky Marcus P.C., is putting auto and truck OEMs on notice that the “quietness” of hybrid cars and trucks can be considered a higher safety risk for pedestrians and bicycle riders than gasoline- or diesel-only powered vehicles.

“These vehicles may provide important environmental befits, but they cannot do so at the expense of safety,” he said, pointing to a September 2009 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that found that hybrid vehicles, which are typically quieter than internal combustion engine cars and trucks, can pose a greater risk to pedestrians and bicyclists.

NHTSA’s study determined that hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have a higher incidence rate of pedestrian and bicyclist crashes than do models powered by internal combustion engine alone in certain vehicle maneuvers, and that these results should serve as a guide when designing future HEVs pedestrian and bicyclist crash prevention programs.

“In light of this report, hybrid manufacturers and drivers are now on notice that they need to take steps to make sure their cars are seen and heard by cyclists and pedestrians,” said Schwartzapfel. “They may be held accountable for injuries when they fail to take those steps.”

He added that newly proposed federal legislation – the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 – would require federal transportation safety regulators to set a minimum noise level for vehicles.

[source - fleetowner.com]