|
Volvo
Truck North America, Inc.
Volvo Trucks North America Inc., Lockheed Martin
Control Systems, and Radian Inc. are jointly
developing a Class 8 line-haul tractor powered by a
hybrid electric propulsion system. The tractor is
being developed under the U.S. Army National
Automotive Center's Dual-Use Science and Technology
Program, which develops technologies that improve
efficiency and emissions in both military and
commercial vehicles. This is revolutionary
technology making big rig trucks more fuel
efficient and less polluting. This project is very
timely in light of present diesel price increases
that are making big rig transportation less cost
effective. The HybriDrive system consists of four
major components - a 460-horsepower diesel engine
connected to a generator, a lead-acid battery pack,
two 250-horsepower AC induction electric motors,
and a propulsion control system. The diesel engine
is not connected to a drive shaft, but drives the
generator, whose electric power output is delivered
to the electric motors driving the wheels. Excess
generator power is used to keep the batteries
charged.This is similar technology to the Diesel
Electric Locomotives the haul millions of tons a
day worldwide. The TH!NK is 2 passenger electric
city car which was first shown in Brussels in Oct.
1998. It is made for commuting in and around the
city while being environmentally friendly,
reliable, and economical. Look for more
information stay tuned to ElectricCars.com!
|
Click this logo to go to the Volve
website...
|
|
|
