Allison Transmission recently dedicated a new hybrid manufacturing plant in Indianapolis. Once fully operational, nearly 100 manufacturing workers will be capable of producing more than 20,000 commercial-duty hybrid propulsion systems each year.
This new Allison hybrid propulsion system captures kinetic energy otherwise wasted as a vehicle decelerates and later reuses the energy to propel or reaccelerate the vehicle. The recovered energy also can be used to power vehicle accessories. Fuel economy improvements from other Allison hybrid products typically are in the range of 20 percent to 30 percent and greater, according to the company.
“Allison Transmission and the Department of Energy have worked together for many years in programs which have pushed transportation technology and resulted in the production of real products which benefit us all,” says Lawrence E. Dewey, Allison Transmission chairman and chief executive officer. “Over $130 million is being invested in the renovation of this facility and the development of our new commercial hybrid truck product. We will deliver a new generation of hybrid propulsion solutions to the transportation industry.”
The dedication of the facility follows an August 2009 visit to Indiana by President Obama. During his visit, Obama announced that Allison was being awarded a $62.8 million matching grant by the U.S. Department of Energy to increase the United States’ capacity to manufacture cost efficient fuel-efficient commercial-duty hybrid truck propulsion systems. Allison says the DOE grant, which was awarded under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, has enabled the company to accelerate its plans to bring commercial-duty truck hybrid products to market in 2013.
