Los Alamos County in New Mexico has taken delivery of the first hydraulic hybrid refuse truck in the state, which will be used in daily residential refuse pick up operations.

The truck is a Peterbilt Model 320 equipped with Eaton's hydraulic launch assist system and a Wayne Curbtender residential automated side loader.

The move is the latest initiative by the county in meeting its goals for environmental sustainability.

According to Peterbilt and Eaton, the truck can save more than 1,000 gallons of fuel per year, reduce emissions by up to 20 percent and can extend brake life by up to 300 percent. The HLA system captures the trucks' kinetic energy during braking to assist in launching and accelerating the vehicle. The technology works by recovering up to 75 percent of the energy normally lost as heat by the vehicle's brakes in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The HLA technology has been tested on refuse vehicles in Fort Worth, Texas, and Denver, and is ideally suited for the stop and go applications of daily residential refuse pickup.

"With this new technology, we will not only improve the efficiency of our residential refuse collection, but also help reduce emissions to protect the environment for our residents," said Mike Wismer, County Council chairman.