| Volvo Ready with it's Heavy Duty Hybrids |
| Written by Hank Green | ||
| Friday, 02 February 2007 | ||
I will begin this article by reminding nay sayers that shipping and delivery is important, and that increasing a one mile per gallon truck to two miles per gallon saves as much gas as converting a 30 mpg car to 60 mpg. Likely significantly more, as delivery and shipping trucks tend to drive a heck of a lot more than individual cars. That being said, I am very excited about the possibilities for heavy duty hybrids. It's actually very sad that more hasn't been done here already. Improving the fuel efficiency of the nation's shipping fleet would save a tremendous (though I'm afraid I can't find any hard data) amount of gasoline. I'm afraid I don't have the technical knowhow to tell you how Volvo's heavy-duty hybrids differ from traditional hybrid engines, but I can tell you that they make vehicles around 35% more efficient than non hybrid forms by using regenerative breaking and an electric motor. No word on price, but with the amount of gasoline a heavy-duty truck eats, I can't imagine it wouldn't pay for itself fairly quickly. Via AutoBlogGreen
Comments
(9)
...
written by Vincenze , February 04, 2007
...
written by Vincenze , February 04, 2007
I'll make you a deal,
...you fix up my 'poNtential' and I won't tell anyone about your 'who Volvo's' 
It's a deal....
written by Hank , February 05, 2007
Thanks for the tip
Still underestimating the importance
written by Ryan Baker , February 06, 2007
Your still underestimating the importance. Converting a 1mpg truck to 2mpg is the equivalent of converting thirty 30mpg cars to 60mpg.even at the same number of miles
i.e. Assume 15,000 miles per year: 15,000/30 = 500 gallons 15,000/60 = 250 gallons 250 gallons savings per 30 to 60 mpg conversion 15,000/1 = 15,000 gallons 15,000/2 = 7,500 gallons 7,500 gallons savings per 1 to 2 mpg conversion 7,500/250 = 30 car conversions per truck conversions This misconception is why CAFE formulas are broken. See http://ryan-technorabble.blogs...ughts.html
Go Volvo!
written by Janis Mara , February 06, 2007 Seems tres kewl that Volvo is doing this. I've always been enamored of them because of their safety, now I can feel better knowing their trucks aren't guzzling as much gas!
It's even more impactful than Ryan says
written by Atul , February 19, 2007
Because commercial vehicles drive more like 50 to 125 thousand miles a year.
What's funny though is how this logic is also important to light vehicles such as full size pick-up trucks and GM was chastised for offering a hybrid Silverado instead of a Prius-type vehicle.
That's right
written by celia , March 08, 2007
Look at all that roof space. That needs to be tapped into. If there any industry people reading this; just do it, man! Especially the refrigerated trucks.
Great news but a little late to the part
written by Greg , March 17, 2008
Peterbilt was actually the first truck manufacturer to introduce a class 8 hybrid and it was over a year ago. Wal-Mart is already running them in their fleet.
http://www.thepetestore.com/news-detail.php?id=15 Paste the link to read the press release.
it will only be a heavy duty truck when
written by Armageddon_hamster , May 25, 2008
I know a corporation that is looking (like all of us are) into ways to reduce fuel costs. To date (unfortunately) the best Electric Hybrid Transport truck is a Renolt (Duro-Star I think is its name). It has a 350HP E/D Motor. This makes it a High-End Medium duty truck. cost 75,000 Euros. this makes it a good Garbage truck. but not a transport Truck the average person sees on the high-ways.
This will ot happen until the transport truck manufactures stat making then will 400-600 HP and with enough driver comfort to attract buyers. What about the Batteries? Even without batteries (direct drive) Hybrids get more bang for your fuel $$$. The tractor can use a smaller engine and thus have a lower cost for fuel. in fact they could use a standard automobile engine to drive the generator and save cost as well as lower their CO/CO2 admitions. | ||
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Science, technology gadgets and...baby seals. We're in a bit of an eco-mess, but we've got the brains to lick any problem. And that's why EcoGeek.org publishes up to ten stories daily about innovations that are saving the planet.
And if that sounds interesting to you, then congratulations, you're an EcoGeek.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
I've always thought there should be more focus on making trucks more sustainable... look at all that roof space, imagine the potential for a solar hybrid.
v.