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Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus
Corporation (MFTBC) unveiled its new “Canter Eco-D” hybrid light-duty
dump truck at the Tokyo Motor Show. As one of Asia’s leading truck
manufacturers and an integral part of Daimler Trucks, has developed this
first-ever hybrid concept dump truck to demonstrate further uses of
hybrid and other advanced technologies to the commercial vehicle market.
The new Canter Eco-D, with distinctive and sophisticated styling,
delivers extremely low emissions and quiet performance while
incorporating a host of advanced features.
“The new Canter Eco-D is a view to
future possible applications of hybrid systems and other advanced
technology in commercial vehicles,” explained Tsutomu Kondo, MFTBC
Senior Manager and Head of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Development. “In
addition to delivery trucks, Mitsubishi Fuso believes hybrid technology
can also be successfully applied to light-duty dump trucks and their
numerous uses, particular those working in urban locales. The Canter
Eco-D is a vision of this thinking. At the same time, this truck
incorporates numerous advanced concepts for commercial vehicle styling,
safety and functionality.”
Canter Eco-D Hybrid System
The Canter Eco-D, with a 3350 mm wheelbase, is capable of carrying a
3000 kg dump body. Its potential uses include light construction, road
repair, landscaping and others. With its hybrid drive and emissions
control system, the truck is designed to achieve significant reductions
of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) over conventional
diesel-only-powered vehicles.
The central components of the Canter
Eco-D’s hybrid system are a 3-liter DOHC diesel engine (92kW); an
ultra-slim electric motor/generator (35 kW); a high performance
Lithium(Li)-ion battery; and the INOMAT-II automated mechanical
transmission.
The Canter Eco-D adopts a similar
parallel hybrid system that is already offered in the Canter Eco Hybrid
light-duty truck, in production by MFTBC since July 2006.
In a parallel hybrid system, the power
to drive the vehicle comes from the vehicle's electric motor, the diesel
engine or both. Fuel efficiency and emissions reduction are achieved by
using them singly, or in combination with each other according to
driving conditions.
The hybrid system switches its
operational mode according to the driving situation. The electric motor
is used to drive the vehicle when starting off. During hard
acceleration, both the diesel engine and electric motor/generator power
the vehicle. When cruising, the vehicle is driven by the diesel engine
only, like a conventional vehicle. When slowing down or braking, the
electric motor/generator functions as a generator to brake the vehicle.
The generator converts brake energy into electric energy and stores it
in a Lithium(Li)-ion battery for the next moving off or acceleration.
This arrangement contributes to maximum
fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
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