SCAQMD will partner with four separate air quality districts in California to work toward the first large-scale demonstration of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks. As one of the truck manufacturers selected to receive funding, the Mack trucks will focus on ultra-low NOx technologies, while advancing plug-in hybrid and geo-fencing capabilities explored in previous and on-going projects.
"Mack looks forward to continuing our collaboration with SCAQMD and demonstrating two zero-emission capable drayage trucks," said Dennis Slagle, president of Mack Trucks. "Mack has been a leader in powertrain innovation for decades, and we are excited to apply our knowledge to this project."
The goals of the zero-emission capable drayage truck project include reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at locations with heavy freight volumes, including ports, rail yards and the freight corridors connecting them.
"This unique collaborative effort is aimed at fostering the development of advanced zero-emission truck technologies that are vital to improving air quality in communities near our busy freight corridors," said Joe Buscaino, Los Angeles City Councilman and SCAQMD Board Member. "Cleaner truck fleets on our roadways are important for air quality and climate goals, and essential to protecting public health."
Mack's efforts will build upon its experiences in designing and demonstrating a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) drayage truck based on a Mack® Pinnacle™ daycab model.
The Mack drayage truck, which was displayed during ACT Expo 2016, was built as part of an earlier SCAQMD-sponsored project, and is capable of zero-emission operation thanks to the integration of a Mack MP®7 diesel engine with a parallel hybrid system and lithium-ion battery pack. Additional lightweight and aerodynamic-enhancing components were also included to extend the benefits of the hybrid technology and maximize zero-emission range.
The truck utilizes geo-fencing capabilities similar to those enabled by Mack's GuardDog® Connect telematics platform to switch between zero-emission and hybrid operating modes. Geo-fencing establishes a virtual perimeter as determined by GPS coordinates. The onboard hardware can then identify each time the truck passes through the perimeter.
When inside the zero-emission geo-fence – which includes locations with the heaviest freight traffic, such as a port – the truck operates in pure electric mode. When outside the zero-emission geo-fence – such as on the way to a rail yard or distribution center – the diesel engine is enabled, allowing for hybrid operation and recharging of the batteries.
The Mack drayage truck, with its suite of integrated technologies, is currently undergoing evaluation and testing in a drayage fleet at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Mack Trucks will demonstrate two zero-emission capable Class 8 drayage trucks as part of a South Coast Air Quality Management District project funded by a $23.6 million grant from the State of California. Mack will use knowledge gained from the development of its plug-in hybrid electric drayage trucks, including the truck above, which was recently shown at ACT Expo 2016.
Dedicated to quality, reliability and total customer satisfaction, Mack Trucks, Inc., has provided its customers with innovative transportation solutions for more than a century. Today, Mack is one of North America's largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, and Mack® trucks are sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network in more than 45 countries. Mack trucks and diesel engines sold in North America are assembled in the United States. Mack manufacturing locations are certified to the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality and ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems. Mack is also a proud sponsor of Share the Road, an American Trucking Associations' public information campaign aimed at enhancing the safety of our nation's roadways.
Mack Trucks, Inc. is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2015, the Volvo Group's sales amounted to about $37 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
For more information about Mack, visit our website at www.macktrucks.com
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