Peterbilt Motors Co. is showcasing four hybrid vehicles for the medium- and heavy-duty markets at the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF), which runs through today at the Qwest Field Event Center in Seattle.

Peterbilt's parent company, Paccar Inc., is host the forum, which brings together the trucking industry's leaders in hybrid technology.
Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager and Paccar vice president, said, "Our medium-duty hybrid vehicles currently in operation throughout North America are performing extremely well, with customers reporting a significant savings in fuel economy of up to 40 percent."
Peterbilt hybrid solutions on display at HTUF include:

• Medium Duty Hybrid Electric Technology
The Model 335 hybrid electric combines a PACCAR PX-6 engine (260HP, 560 ft-lbs torque) with Eaton Corp.'s proven Hybrid Electric Drive System. With the hybrid system engaged, horsepower increases to 300 and torque to 860 pounds-feet. This configuration is ideal for stop-and-go use, such as urban pick-up and delivery. The vehicle can demonstrate up to a 40 percent greater fuel economy by using electric power to accelerate the vehicle from a stop.

• Heavy Duty Hybrid Electric Technology
The Model 386 Heavy-Duty Hybrid, a joint-development vehicle with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Eaton, seeks to validate the benefit of using a hybrid system for long-haul applications for both on-road and idle reduction fuel efficiency gains.
On the road, the expected benefit is 5-7 percent through improved launching, accelerating and hill climbing capabilities. When the idle reduction mode is active, engine operation is limited to battery charging, an automatically controlled process that takes approximately five minutes per hour to fully charge the system. During rest periods, a 90 percent reduction in idling will be demonstrated while providing high-power A/C, 120VAC, and 12VDC to accommodate the sleeper hotel loads.
Heavy Duty Hydraulic Hybrid Technology
The Model 320 Hydraulic Hybrid Refuse Truck features a Cummins ISM engine rated at 330 horsepower combined with Eaton's Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) System, ideal for vocational and stop-and-go applications such as refuse collection. The system recycles a truck's kinetic energy to conserve fuel and assist in acceleration and has demonstrated a 25-30 percent improvement in fuel economy, a 50 percent reduction in brake wear and up to 40 percent reduction in emissions. It is also more environmentally friendly by decreasing exhaust emissions and noise.

Paccar and Eaton recently announced they have entered into an exclusive agreement to jointly develop proprietary hybrid technology for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in North America. The innovative new products will be introduced in Peterbilt Class 8 trucks for the North American market, targeted for initial production by the end of 2009.