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.”