Mack Trucks Inc. has received a $1.2-million contract through Southwest Research Institute to develop diesel hybrid electric technology that will ultimately be used in military and commercial vehicles.

The majority of the work is to be performed at Mack Powertrain in Hagerstown, Md.
The project involves designing a hybrid vehicle to be used for refueling operations at U.S. Air Force bases. The long-term goal is to develop heavy duty trucks that operate on a combination of electricity and diesel fuel. Anticipated advantages of this hybrid electric technology include better fuel economy, longer engine and brake system service intervals and reduced emissions.
Denis Leblond, Mack Powertrain senior vice president, said a likely commercial use for the technology is a refuse hauler based on a Mack truck platform.
"We believe this technology shows promise in the refuse vehicle area for the same reasons that the Air Force is interested in the refueler -- reduced cost of operations and emissions without loss of performance," said Guy Rini, Mack program manager for the hybrid technology project.
Rini said Mack Powertrain has already defined a prototype vehicle configuration and, in conjunction with strategic partner Enova Systems Inc., initiated design work on the motor and drive electronics. The goal is to deliver a working prototype to the Air Force by March 2005, he added.
For more information about Mack, visit www.macktrucks.com.