Peterbilt Showcases Hybrid Vehicles at the Hybrid Truck Users Forum Annual Meeting in Seattle

Peterbilt Motors Company announced it will showcase four hybrid vehicles for the medium- and heavy-duty markets at the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) September 20–21st at the Qwest Field Event Center in Seattle. Peterbilt's parent company, PACCAR Inc, will host the forum which brings together

the trucking industry's leaders in hybrid technology. "As customers face higher fuel costs and growing environmental concerns such as emission reductions, Peterbilt is proud to be at the forefront of advanced hybrid vehicle development by offering green solutions for both the medium- and heavy-duty markets," says Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president. "Our medium-duty hybrid vehicles currently in operation throughout North America are performing extremely well, with customers reporting a significant savings in fuel economy of up to 40 percent." Peterbilt hybrid solutions on display at HTUF include:

Medium-Duty Hybrid Electric Technology

The Model 335 hybrid electric combines a PACCAR PX-6 engine (260 horsepower, 560 foot-pounds of torque) with Eaton Corporation's proven Hybrid Electric Drive System. With the hybrid system engaged, horsepower increases to 300 and torque to 860 foot-pounds. This configuration is ideal for stop-and-go use, such as urban pickup and delivery. The vehicle can demonstrate up to a 40-percent greater fuel economy by using electric power to accelerate the vehicle from a stop. The Model 335 hybrid utility truck features a Terex TC-55 Hi-Ranger Body and is also powered by the PX-6 engine, which regenerates lithium-ion batteries to electrically operate the PTO and is ideal for municipal and utility applications. The system can produce up to a 40-percent improvement in fuel efficiency when on-road fuel economy gain is combined with utilizing the batteries to operate the truck body.

Heavy-Duty Hybrid Electric Technology

The Model 386 Heavy-Duty Hybrid, a joint-development vehicle with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Eaton, seeks to validate the benefit of using a hybrid system for long-haul applications for both on-road and idle reduction fuel efficiency gains. On the road, the expected benefit is 5 percent to 7 percent through improved launching, accelerating and hill climbing capabilities. When the idle reduction mode is active, engine operation is limited to battery charging, an automatically controlled process that takes approximately five minutes per hour to fully charge the system. During rest periods, a 90-percent reduction in idling will be demonstrated while providing high-power A/C, 120VAC and 12VDC to accommodate the sleeper hotel loads.

Heavy-Duty Hydraulic Hybrid Technology

The Model 320 Hydraulic Hybrid Refuse Truck features a Cummins ISM engine rated at 330 horsepower combined with Eaton's Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) System, ideal for vocational and stop-and-go applications such as refuse collection. The system recycles a truck's kinetic energy to conserve fuel and assist in acceleration and has demonstrated a 25-percent to 30-percent improvement in fuel economy, a 50-percent reduction in brake wear and up to 40-percent reduction in emissions. It is also more environmentally friendly by decreasing exhaust emissions and noise. PACCAR and Eaton Corporation recently announced they have entered into an exclusive agreement to jointly develop proprietary hybrid technology for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in North America. The innovative new products will be introduced in Peterbilt Class 8 trucks for the North American market, targeted for initial production by the end of 2009. HTUF is a national, user-driven program to assist the commercialization of heavy-duty hybrid technologies. HTUF works to find applications and generate demand for hybrid vehicles in the commercial market to help speed the development and reduce the cost of such vehicles. HTUF provides an ideal venue for Peterbilt to promote its leadership in hybrid environmental initiatives.