PORTLAND, Ore. — The applicability of hybrid trucks continues to expand, with Freightliner building what it claims to be the first HazMat truck to use Eaton’s hybrid drive system.

The Business Class M2e was built for Pennington Gas Service, which will use it to deliver propane to residents in the US.  

“I’d never seen a hybrid truck like this for the propane industry, and it was evident that Freightliner was leading the charge in pursuing this technology. So, I decided to find out more,” said company partner Keith Pennington. “Having been a Freightliner customer for almost 10 years, I knew they’d do everything possible to make my vision a reality.”

“Pennington’s proposal for a hybrid hazmat delivery truck was certainly a challenge, but after tapping our engineers and partners such as Eaton Corp., and Signature Truck Systems, we knew that we could make it happen,” added David Bryant, vocational sales manager, hybrids, for Freightliner.

The truck utilizes Eaton’s parallel electric hybrid system, which Pennington hopes will result in fuel savings of around 30% while also slashing emissions.

“The ability to turn off the diesel engine and use the hybrid system while pumping propane to our customers is ideal,” said Pennington. “Not only does it make economical and environmental sense, but a quiet, zero emissions pumping operation is safer for the residential neighborhoods where we do the majority of our business.”