The presentation took place in front of the US Capitol in Washington, and was visited by a number of congressional leaders and other Federal officials. The hybrid powertrain that was shown is in a fuel tanker truck developed in cooperation with the US Air Force. Diesel-powered hybrid vehicles combine the power from an electric motor with that from a diesel engine. The advantages of hybrid technology include improved fuel economy, lower emissions, reduced noise levels, lower operating costs and longer intervals regarding the need for service of engines and brake systems.
The vehicle demonstrated is a "mild hybrid." This means that the hybrid engine assists at start-up and then recycles the energy released in braking - energy that is stored in batteries and reused instead of diesel fuel.
The goal for the Volvo Group is to develop a full hybrid system able to launch a heavy-duty truck solely with electrical power. In a full hybrid system, the engine is not operated at idle, which reduces fuel consumption and noise levels from, for example, refuse collection trucks. With a market share of more than 70%, Mack is the leading manufacturer of refuse trucks in North America.
"Hybrids offer the potential to reduce fuel consumption by 20 to 25 percent," says Volvo CEO Leif Johansson. "This is an extensive reduction and the possibilities within hybrid technology are highly promising and exciting."
September 29, 2005
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