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Volvo’s hybrid vehicles can reduce fuel
consumption and therefore also emissions of greenhouse gases by up to
one-third, when compared with conventional diesel-powered vehicles.
Large-scale introduction would mean reduced environmental impact and
considerably lower fuel costs for the transport industry and a project
is now under way to test hybrid power in two trucks in Sweden. In
addition London is to host hybrid bus field trials in 2008.
“Volvo has been engaged
in hybrid technology research and development for 20 years. Today’s
tests pave the way for future series production and it is our aim to
introduce hybrid trucks in our product range within the next few years,”
says Staffan Jufors, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks.
Optimal
solution for local transportation
In Volvo’s hybrid solution, the best characteristics of the diesel
engine and electric motor are integrated with each other. The electric
motor is used when starting off and for acceleration to about 20 km/h.
At higher speeds, the diesel engine steps in and takes over while at the
same time recharging the electric motor’s batteries. When the brakes are
applied, the braking energy is harnessed to recharge the batteries.
Electric power is utilised when the vehicle is at a standstill, in
slow-moving traffic queues and during loading and unloading.
Since the hybrid truck
comes into its own in operating conditions characterised by repeated
stopping and starting, it is ideal for trucks in municipal transport
services, such as refuse handling, and local distribution. Because the
diesel engine is completely switched off when the vehicle is at a
standstill, it is entirely silent and emits no exhaust gases, which is a
huge benefit especially when operating in urban residential areas.
The Volvo Group
considers that hybrid technology is one of the most promising and
competitive technologies for heavy duty vehicles.
“The large-scale
introduction of hybrid power would significantly increase the
energy-efficiency of the transport sector as a whole,” adds Staffan
Jufors. “In Europe and the USA, 220,000 trucks are built every year for
local distribution and refuse handling operations, so the market
certainly is there.”
Volvo’s first hybrid trucks are expected
to become operational within a year.
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