At this week’s Hybrid Truck Users Forum in South Bend, Ind., Navistar unveiled an additional hybrid truck configuration — the International DuraStar Hybrid tractor — which targets general freight haulers and food/beverage distributors.
International says that like the other trucks in its DuraStar Hybrid line, this diesel-electric hybrid Class 7 tractor has the capability to provide dramatic fuel savings from 20 to 25 percent on standard in-city pickup-and-delivery applications.
“Hybrid trucks are the next step in providing expanded fuel-efficiency options for customers as they face the new realities of high diesel costs and tough economic conditions,” says Steve Guillaume, general manager of Navistar’s medium truck group. “Saving 20 to 25 percent in fuel costs is nearly the equivalent of paying about $2.91 for diesel at the pump versus the national average of $3.88 per gallon.”
In addition to reducing the amount of fuel used, the International DuraStar Hybrid also reduces the amount of emissions released into the air, according to the truck maker; overall, the DuraStar Hybrid emits up to 33 percent less hydrocarbon emissions and 35 percent less nitrogen oxide emissions versus standard diesel trucks.
International says its DuraStar Hybrid trucks employ a parallel-type diesel-electric hybrid architecture that is supplied by Eaton Corp., which incorporates an electric motor/generator between the output of an automated clutch and input of the automated manual transmission. The hybrid-electric system recovers energy during braking, and can add power back into the driveline during start and acceleration; International says this capability makes the truck more efficient in standard driving, particularly in city and stop-and-go driving.
Customers can learn more about hybrid trucks at www.internationaltrucks.com/hybrid.
