A Class 7 truck with Solectria Corp.'s "Super 7" drive system departed the company’s headquarters in Woburn, Mass., this week on a cross-country drive.

Designed for trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 50,000 pounds, the vehicle will visit 27 potential customers in 15 states during its five-week, 6,000-mile odyssey.
This hybrid diesel-electric system was developed to enable companies to comply with the strict EPA mandates for truck and bus emissions scheduled for implementation in 2007. In addition, the system is designed to pay back the extra cost several times over the life of the vehicle, according to the company.
Solectria technology already is used in more than 4,000 electric and hybrid-electric vehicles throughout the world.
"The 'Super 7' drive system will help meet the growing demand for cleaner and more fuel-efficient commercial vehicles," said Dean McGrew, director of sales. "The technology Solectria has developed enables hybrid technology in larger commercial vehicles.
"It shares an important operational advantage found in conventional diesel vehicles -- it uses readily available fuel, and more importantly, 35% less of it," McGrew said.
High-power ultracapacitors are charged and discharged for low-speed and peak energy demands, while the diesel engine handles the average demands. "Batteries not included – ever," McGrew said. "There is no need to take the truck off the road in search of an electrical outlet. In addition, this drive system provides the substantial low-end torque needed for a vehicle to operate fully loaded in stop-and-go traffic," McGrew explained.
Founded in 1989, Solectria develops and manufactures a range of energy management components for automotive, power generation and other industrial applications. Solectria also offers comprehensive engineering services for drivetrain design and integration.
For more information, visit www.solectria.com.