Hybrid Team Powers its Way to Volvo Technology Award
2009-04-17
Winston Leonard
Six engineers behind the technology used in the L220F Hybrid wheel loader have received the Volvo 2009 Technology Award. The prize was presented for the team’s development of the world’s first commercially viable hybrid solution for heavy vehicles.
The team was behind the development of I-SAM – the Integrated Starter Alternator Motor, a combined starter, generator, and drive motor. When used as part of a parallel diesel-electric hybrid system, it has the potential to reduce fuel consumption in wheel loaders by up to 50% – and up to 20% in trucks. This not only reduces fuel costs but also provides significant environmental benefits through lower emissions of carbon dioxide. The quiet and emission-free electric drive also improves environment conditions in the vehicle’s surroundings.
Engineers from different parts of the Volvo Group took part in the development of I-SAM. Six were represented at the prize ceremony at the Volvo Group’s annual general meeting in Sweden on April 1st: Anders Kroon, Jerker Lennevi, Joakim Lindström, Lars Carlhammar, Peter Jönsson and Christer Ehn.
“In the future, the hybrid will not be considered as a ‘special’ solution – the technology will be seen on a wide range of construction equipment, city buses and delivery trucks,” said Leif Johansson, President and CEO of Volvo Group, who presented the award. “We see great potential to develop hybrid technology for the construction equipment, heavy trucks and bus sectors. With its leading environmental position and stature as one of the largest producers of commercial vehicles, it is only natural for the Volvo Group to drive the development of tomorrow’s transport solutions.”
