Eaton Corp. is showing off two of its technologies for truck applications this week at the fifth annual Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2003 in Sonoma, Calif.

The international event focuses on environmental and performance testing of advanced technologies and, for the first time, heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses are participating in the event.
Eaton's Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) powertrain and Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) System technologies are being displayed in the Learning Center.
The second-generation HLA system hardware is on display in a Ford F350 Super Duty truck. The HLA technology employs a practical method to recover energy normally lost during vehicle braking, converting it into hydraulic power that can be used for vehicle acceleration, improved fuel economy and reduced brake wear.
Eaton's HLA system is a parallel hybrid regenerative braking system targeted at Class 2B through Class 8 commercial vehicles. The system can provide a 25% to 35% improvement in fuel economy and similar reductions in exhaust emissions in light duty trucks, with even higher percentages in heavier vehicles, when the driving cycle involves frequent starts and stops. The system can also reduce brake wear significantly and provide high torque quickly and at low speed.
The HLA system works by recovering a portion of the energy normally wasted as heat by the vehicle's brakes. This converted energy is held as a fluid in an on-board reservoir until the driver accelerates the vehicle. Fuel savings occur when the stored energy is then used in conjunction with the engine-based power in the initial acceleration of the vehicle.
Eaton's hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain technology combines a diesel engine and electric motor to drive the vehicle. A computer determines the most efficient combination, depending on operating conditions and driver demand. The engine size is reduced because of the added power provided by the electric motor. A particulate trap has been added to the truck to further reduce emissions.
Four months ago, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., in concert with Environmental Defense and Eaton Corp., introduced a low-emission, hybrid electric powered delivery vehicle that could become a standard medium-duty delivery truck for the FedEx Express fleet.
Eaton was selected to produce the hybrid electric powertrain. FedEx Express has agreed to purchase 20 hybrid electric diesel delivery trucks using Eaton's innovative technology. Later this year, these 20 vehicles will operate in four U.S. cities, enduring real world FedEx operating conditions to prove their viability in commercial applications.
The FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicle will decrease particulate emissions by 90%, reduce smog-causing emissions by 75% and increase fuel efficiency by 50%.
In June, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Eaton's Truck business a $3.1 million contract to develop hybrid propulsion systems for trucks and other heavy duty vehicles.
The DOE contract provides matching funds for a research and development program aimed at doubling the fuel efficiency of today's conventional truck engines, while at the same time increasing reliability and durability of components and meeting new, lowered federal emissions standards for 2007.
For more information, visit www.eaton.com .