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Steeply rising oil prices and a strong
focus on the climate have made fuel-saving hybrid technology
particularly interesting. Volvo Trucks is now taking an important step
towards commercialisation of this technology for heavy vehicles by
launching two hybrid refuse trucks that will be tested in regular daily
operations in Sweden by refuse collection firms Renova and Ragn-Sells.
“This test phase is the last stage in
the evaluation of our hybrid solution ahead of production launch,”
reveals Staffan Jufors, president and CEO of the Volvo Truck
Corporation. “Since we presented our first concept vehicle in 2006, we
have seen considerably heightened market interest in this technology.
What makes our solution unique is that it is sufficiently powerful to
drive heavy vehicles and more cost-effective than all other current
alternatives. It is these characteristics that determine whether a
hybrid can be commercially viable. We will start producing hybrid trucks
in 2009.”
Fuel-efficient, quiet and clean
Volvo’s hybrid solution combines a diesel engine with an electric motor,
with the electric motor being used for moving off from standstill and
for acceleration up to 20 km/h (12 mph). At higher speeds, the diesel
engine is activated, but when the truck stops the diesel engine
automatically switches off, thus avoiding unnecessary idling.
The batteries are recharged using the power that is generated during
braking, making this system highly suitable for operating cycles
involving repeated stops and starts, such as refuse collection duties.
The hybrid refuse trucks are expected
to use up to 20 percent less fuel and thus cut carbon dioxide emissions
by a corresponding amount. What is more, one of the trucks is equipped
with an extra battery pack that drives the refuse compactor and this is
charged via the mains electrical system when the truck is parked
overnight. Its total reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is expected
to be as much as 30 percent, giving this approach a better eco-effect
than, for instance, a truck powered by natural gas.
Electric power has the added advantage
of being entirely exhaust-free and emitting low noise; important
considerations for refuse collection vehicles that often operate in
urban areas early in the morning.
Hybrid technology is the future in all
transport segments Initially, hybrid technology will be utilised by
vehicles in urban operations. In the longer term, however, Volvo aims to
offer hybrid trucks within long-haul and construction too.
“Hybrid technology will play a major
role in the future as the climate issue and oil dependency come into
ever-sharper focus,” says Mats Franzén, engine manager at Product
Strategy and Planning at Volvo Trucks. “No matter which fuels dominate
in the future, their supply will be limited. Technology that leads to
lower fuel consumption will be of immense interest to our customers,
irrespective of the type of haulage operation with which they work. For
distribution trucks, fuel consumption may be able to be cut by 20 to 30
percent. In long-haul operations, the percentage reduction will not be
as great, but since these trucks cover long distances, the total fuel
saving will nonetheless be considerable.”
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