Mining has used diesel-electric hybrids for years as well.
Liebherr T282B: world's biggest diesel-electric truck
592 tons, 2.7 MWatts
Posted on 01/21/2007 10:37:35 AM PST by CHUCKfromCAL
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is teaming up with ArvinMeritor, an auto component supplier, to develop a diesel-electric hybrid truck that may be the first of its kind in North America.
The companies said in a news release this week they had agreed to develop a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a class 8 truck, called the "workhorse of the U.S. long-distance trucking industry" by ArvinMeritor.
"We've been working on development of hybrid drivetrains for some time," said Carsten J. Reinhardt, president of ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Systems business, in the news release. "This class 8 project is a major step in our continuing work in alternative drivetrain development -- both for power transmission and emissions -- and holds tremendous promise for the worldwide heavy-duty trucking market in a number of important environmental and economic ways."
Wal-Mart President and CEO Lee Scott said last year that doubling the fuel efficiency of the company's fleet of trucks was part of the company's new environmental program. Wal-Mart spokesman Dave Tovar said Thursday that the company is hoping the hybrid truck will help achieve that goal.
"Obviously, this is going to take some time, and there will be commercial applications for (the hybrid truck) beyond Wal-Mart. But the announcement put out by ArvinMeritor is strictly about the development of this new drive train," and there is no timetable as yet, Tovar said.
Wal-Mart has 7,000 trucks in its fleet, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nwaonline.net ...
Of course, it will be manufactured in China/s
Railroads have used Diesel-Electric locomotives for years. But then a locomotive needs to be heavy.
Judging from the name, ArvinMeritor, they're Indian. I'd think they would search out other, low cost countries for production sourcing.
I'm amazed that Wal Mart has ONLY 7,000 trucks. I would have guessed double that.
If wal-mart starts selling trucks and cars, they may be able to give toyota a run for its money. They'll all be made in China, but what the heck?
Mom an pop ain't going to like them apples
Yes ... the evil Wal-Mart is at it again.
/sarc
WalMart? This marks the end of the RATs support for energy efficentcy.
PACCAR won't care, but Cat, Cummins & Detroit might get upset. :-)
The battery pack could be in the trailer, which could charge up from the power grid while being loaded and unloaded.
Mining has used diesel-electric hybrids for years as well.
Liebherr T282B: world's biggest diesel-electric truck
592 tons, 2.7 MWatts
This will upset the liberals.
Looks like they have American roots to me. Check out the chart here:
http://www.arvinmeritor.com/about/history.asp
I based my comment on having dealt with an Indian textile concern, Arvind. Arvin Industries, acquired by Meritor, actually is headquartered in Bombay, Mumbai or whatever the PC spelling is these days:
http://www.arvinindustries.com
Liberals don't want a solution, they want an issue.
The new locomotives all have hybrid technology too
Diesel electrics (as in locomotives and large trucks) typically don't have batteries. They use the diesel to spin a generator, which directly powers electric motors in the drivetrain.
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