What’s UP at UPS? A New Sort of Hybrid
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008What’s up at UPS, the United Parcel Service, regarding going green? Well the latest news from the company that likes to be know as “Brown” announced their order for the first 7 “Hydralic Hybrid” delivery trucks. The “Hydralic Hybrid” stores power by pressurizing hydralic fluid, instead of sending electricity to a bank of batteries. The early testing in metro Detroit have shown that these trucks can reduce fuel usage by 45 to 50% and CO2 emissions by 30%, when compared to conventional diesel engines.
This new technology began development October 2001 a R&D project between Eaton Corp and the US EPA laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The vehicles that are delivered to UPS will be powered by a high efficiency diesel engine that periodically recharges pressure in the hydraulic store, rather than sending power to the wheels. This technology is seen as a cost savings solution for large trucks, a way to reduce oil use and a way to reduce CO2 emissions from large vehicles. It is estimated the the fuel savings will pay for the cost of this solution within 3 years.
The vehicles are being built by Navistar, using the Eaton technology. Navistar’s participation is based on their ability to offer their customers “performance and reduced emissions with dramatic improvements in fuel economy,” said Steve Guillaume, Navistar General Manager, Medium Trucks. UPS expects to take delivery of these vehicle in 2009 and 2010. UPS noted in their press release that they are already the largest “green fleet” or more than 1600 vehicles growing to 2100 as the company ads another 600 vehicles this year.
Eaton’s press release:
http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/OurCompany/NewsandEvents/CT_190984
UPS’ press release:
http://www.ups.com/pressroom/us/press_releases/press_release/0,0,5052,00.html


