Treehugger points to a collaboration between US retailer Wal-Mart and The Pete Store, Inc. to build a hybrid prototype long-haul truck that can save on the gas. This prototype Peterbilt Model 386 Hybrid is currently under testing and if trials go well, hybrids are expected to be introduced by 2010. TH says:
The system captures energy generated by the diesel engine and recovers energy normally lost during braking and stores the energy in batteries. That electric torque is then sent through the motor/generator and blended with engine torque to improve vehicle performance, operate the engine in a more fuel-efficient range for a given speed and/or operate only with electric power in certain situations.”
Interesting to see that a retailer is having to make headway here as, it appears, that the automotive industry has not come up with a solution themselves.
Wal-Mart Hits The Road With Hybrid Peterbilt 386 (TreeHugger)
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It’s not the “automotive” industry in this case. The roster of trucking manufacturers in the States has some participation by automakers, but there’s very little crossover in engineering between heavy-duty trucks and passenger vehicles.
May 18th, 2007 at 9:36 am