Next-generation Hybrid Trucks Hold Promise
Hybrid truck manufacturers and suppliers wrapped up a 3-day conference in Atlanta on Thursday. The Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) showed off the latest medium- and heavy-duty hybrid-electric, hybrid-hydraulic, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles for commercial and military use. Governor Sonny Perdue even declared this past week Hybrid Truck Week in the state of Georgia.
Converting trucks to more efficient, less polluting technologies is a laudable goal.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, heavy-duty trucks serve as the backbone of today’s freight transportation system. They also consume more than 3 billion gallons of diesel fuel in California alone. According to EPA estimates, every gallon of diesel fuel releases roughly 22 lbs of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, not to mention NOx, SOx, and PM. According to a recent IBM study (see below), trucks are responsible for 7 percent of all US global warming emissions.
The conference opened with a modern day cattle drive on the streets of Atlanta with over 30 hybrid trucks participating (photo slideshow). During the conference, sessions focused on technology advancements and incentive programs. Participants even tracked the event on Twitter.
On the last day of the conference, participants were able to drive a variety of models in the parking lot of Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves. Southern Company provided a utility bucket truck for the ride and drive event.
Utility use of hybrids is rather interesting as they can be used for both fleet vehicles and larger service trucks. The larger service trucks often need to idle their engines to run heavy lifts and other equipment. The hybrid-hydraulic lifts can operate using battery power.
According to a profile on the Clean Fleet Report, Pacific Gas and Electric Company has the largest compressed natural gas fleet in the US. PG&E’s clean fuel fleet consists of service and crew trucks, meter reader vehicles and pool cars that run either entirely on compressed natural gas or have bi-fuel capabilities.
If we’re going to reduce greenhouse gas (and other) emissions from the transportation sector, hybrid trucks seem to be a smart approach.
One final note: IBM released a study on the future of the hybrid truck industry at the conference along with a summary video.
