Purchasers of certain Kenworth medium-duty hybrid vehicles in the United States are eligible for a tax credit of up to $12,000 under a qualified hybrid motor vehicle credit available from the federal government. The Department of Treasury’s heavy manufacturing and transportation group recently certified the tax incentive eligibility of both the Kenworth T370 Class 7 and Kenworth T270 Class 6 hybrid models in two applications.
A $12,000 credit, the maximum for Class 7 hybrids, is available for the T370 hybrid in both utility-boom and pickup-and-delivery vehicles when equipped with a Paccar PX-6 engine and an Eaton hybrid system. A $6,000 credit, the maximum for Class 6 hybrids, is available for both the Kenworth T270 hybrid utility-boom and pickup-and-delivery vehicles, also when equipped with a Paccar PX-6 engine and an Eaton hybrid system.
“These federal tax credits serve as important incentives for customers seriously considering the purchase of Kenworth medium-duty hybrid trucks this year,” says Gary Moore, assistant general manager of marketing and sales for Kirkland, Wash.-based Kenworth.
The goal for Kenworth’s medium-duty hybrid trucks is to enhance fuel economy by up to 30 percent in stop-and-go applications. Kenworth’s hybrid features an integral transmission-mounted motor/generator, frame-mounted 340-volt battery and dedicated power management system. Above 30 mph, the hybrid operates like a standard diesel vehicle with all power coming from the engine during steady driving conditions. Below 30 mph, it uses a combination of diesel and electricity with the system automatically switching between the two modes of operation. Electricity generated through regenerative braking is stored and used for acceleration, assisting the diesel engine.
