Kenworth Truck Co. recently delivered the first T370 diesel-electric hybrid tractor to serve any West Coast port to Carlile Transportation Systems during a special ceremony at the Carlile facility located in Tacoma, Wash. Harry McDonald, Carlile Transportation Systems chief executive officer, received the keys to the new Kenworth pickup-and-delivery hybrid tractor, which will serve the company’s drayage operations at the Port of Tacoma.
“Carlile Transportation strives to be out in front with new technology, and we’re especially excited that our fleet will become the first serving West Coast ports to receive the new Kenworth T370 hybrid tractor,” says Carlile Transportation Systems President Linda Leary. “The new hybrid will increase fuel efficiency and contribute to our continuing mission of being a good environmental steward by helping to reduce emissions in our port fleet.”
The keys were presented by Andy Douglas, national sales manager of specialty markets for the Kirkland, Wash.-based truck maker. “Kenworth is proud to make a special presentation of this new Kenworth hybrid tractor to Carlile Transportation Systems, which has been an outstanding Kenworth customer for many years,” Douglas says. “Carlile is an environmental leader and became an EPA SmartWay Transport Partner this fall. Many of its trucks used in its day-to-day operations at the Port of Tacoma operate with the 2007 EPA-certified engines to help reduce emissions.”
Kenworth says its T370 hybrid tractors enhance fuel economy by up to 25 percent for local haul applications, including general freight, beverage and grocery distribution; the fuel savings also result in lower emissions levels. The T370 hybrid is powered by the Paccar PX-6 engine and features an integral transmission-mounted motor/generator, a frame-mounted 340-volt battery pack and a dedicated power management system.
Advanced powertrain controls monitor driving conditions and automatically select the best power mode, smoothly switching among electric-only, combined diesel-electric and diesel-only power modes, according to the truck maker; electricity generated through regenerative braking is stored and used for acceleration, assisting the diesel engine. The hybrid system is monitored through a dash display, Kenworth says; as the power requirements for different driving conditions change, the screen constantly updates the driver on system status.
