Peterbilt Hybrid Reduces Fuel Use Up To 40%

November 10, 2006

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Peterbilt is planning a hybrid-electric medium duty truck - outfitted with a fully integrated bucket lift body -? for 2007 that it says will result in a 30 to 40 percent reduction in fuel use.

The Class 7 Model 335 is meant for municipal and utility applications and features improved fuel economy while reducing noise and emissions. The hybrid Model 335 will be in limited production in 2007.

The truck uses a parallel hybrid system that was developed with Eaton Corporation. A parallel hybrid system has an electric motor that assists the mechanical diesel engine with supplemental torque for improved fuel economy. The system stores energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking, and then reuses it for acceleration. The system also stores energy during idling and uses it to power the vehicle’s PTO.

“We expect the hybrid Model 335 will result in a 30 to 40 percent reduction in fuel use through the combined improvement of on-road fuel economy and stationary jobsite operation,” said Peterbilt Chief Engineer Landon Sproull. “The fuel savings, combined with reduced maintenance requirements, will significantly impact our customers’ bottom line.”

The truck and body communicate through a new J1939 digital controller which senses hydraulic demand from the body and automatically engages the hybrid system. Under a full charge, the PTO can operate for approximately 25 minutes at which time the vehicle will automatically start the diesel engine and recharge the hybrid’s batteries. “It takes about three minutes to fully recharge,” Sproull said. “So, during eight hours of operation, the diesel engine will run for less than an hour.”

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Reader Comments

Another aspect of the hybrid-parallel system is the use of engine off, truck idle missions. E-One has worked with Eaton and International in developing a parallel hybrid Command Center for the Fire/Rescue/Homeland Security market. Primary benefit: 25 kW electronic generator producing AC power, that runs off of the hybrid batteries. Virtually silent operation of vehcile at a scene. Fully functional Command Center with engine off operation for 60% to 70% of the time. When batteries get low, diesel engine will run for about 5 to 6 minutes to recharge batteries and then back to silent operation. The future is here.

John Doperalski | May 31st, 2007