Volvo In Consortium for New-Generation U.S. Army Heavy Truck
GREENSBORO, N.C. (Jan. 13, 2000) – Volvo Trucks North America has joined Lockheed Martin Control Systems and Radian Inc. in designing and building a class-8 tractor powered by both electricity and a diesel engine. The initial customer is the U.S. Army, but the program is definitely also oriented towards eventual civilian commercial applications.
The hybrid electric truck will be propelled at low speeds by a pair of 250-hp electric motors (powered by on-board-rechargeable lead-acid batteries) and at high speeds by a 460-hp diesel engine. Volvo engineers are currently overseeing the integration of the Lockheed Martin HybriDrive propulsion system with the driveline and electrical system of a Volvo VNL highway tractor. Field and road tests begin this month.
The project members say that some or all of the technologies being developed on this truck could be ready for commercial use by 2006.
Have your say
This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.