Waste Management tries out hydraulic hybrids
Waste Management, the garbage-collecting giant, is adding 4 hydraulic hybrids to its Fort Worth fleet for a bit of field testing. The trucks, which were launched about 6 months ago, are from Peterbilt and use the Eaton Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) system to store much of the energy used in braking to help launch the vehicle forward when its time to go again. Not only can the truck reduce its fuel use up to 30 percent, according to William Jackson of Peterbilt, but the hydraulic innovation can double the life of the brakes and greatly reduce engine wear. Maintenance is not an insignificant consideration for a company that spends $500,000 a year on its fleet. Although Waste Management isn't getting any government "assistance" for the project, Peterbilt is working towards qualifying the vehicle for a federal rebate program that could reduce the cost to buyers by $12,000.
[Source: Green Car Congress / Dallas News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wise Golden 12:29PM (11/17/2008)
Domenick, do you mean to say $500,000,000 per year on maintenance?
I’ve often said the garbage trucks are the ideal vehicle for hybridization or electrification, because they are slow, heavy, and they stop and go constantly – more than any other vehicle (except mail delivery.)
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ebow 1:19PM (11/17/2008)
I think that vehicle fleets are where we will / should see the most progress on alternative vehicle technology in the next few years. Bulk purchasing power and centralized maintenance can work together to make adoption a success at rates that start to have broad impact. (speaking speculatively, but hopefully)
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SIR 12:13PM (11/18/2008)
Yes, this is surely the right track
!!D 1:29PM (11/17/2008)
Regenerative braking is ideal for stop-and-go vehicles like waste-disposal trucks and city buses. This is a good demonstration that regenerative braking can be implemented with technologies other than generator & battery. This makes perfect sense and I hope it works out.
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sunrooftop 9:14AM (11/18/2008)
These guys are saving big bucks on fuel and maintenance over the life of the vehicle. Why the hell should they get tax incentives on top of that?!?
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SIR 12:12PM (11/18/2008)
What is the possibility that all formats [battery elecric/naturalgas/hybrid/turbo-wankel/biofuel diesel/hydrogen fuel cell, etc] be allowed to compete together unweighted/un handicapped in a NASCAR or other long distance race[s]?
This will advance the science and marketing of alternatives.
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