Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation has been selected to provide hybrid powersystems for a total of 50 step-van delivery vehicles made by International Truck and Engine and
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, to be purchased by UPS, the world’s largest packagedelivery company.UPS announced last month that the first of the 50 vehicles would be placed in Dallas in June2006. UPS expects the vehicles to deliver up to a 35 percent improvement in fuel economy over itsconventionally-powered vehicles, in addition to dramatic decreases in vehicle emissions.
Eaton’s hybrid power system used in both the Freightliner and International chassis will employan Eaton automated transmission, an integrated motor/generator, and advanced technology batteries.The Freightliner Custom Chassis truck will use a Mercedes-Benz MBE 904 4-cylinder diesel engine,and the International Truck and Engine vehicle will employ an International VT-275 6-cylinderdiesel.
Jim Sweetnam, senior vice president and president – Truck Group, said, “Eaton is extremelypleased to be recognized as the leader in the commercialization of hybrid power for commercialvehicles. This order, combined with other significant orders in the delivery van segment and forpublic utility trucks, signals that hybrid power is ready for broader commercialization.”
In September 2002, Eaton was awarded a $7.1 million contract to lead a project in the AdvancedHeavy Hybrid Propulsion System (AHHPS) Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and itsNational Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL). Through this program Eaton, in partnership withInternational Truck and Engine, integrated a heavy hybrid propulsion system for installation in aprototype UPS urban package delivery vehicle.
“UPS provided great support to Eaton and International Truck throughout the DOE/NREL project interms of ‘voice of the customer,'” said Scott Davis, senior chief engineer for special projectsengineering for Eaton’s Hybrid Power Systems business unit. “UPS conducted a three-month fieldtrial of an International Truck with an Eaton prototype system, which provided invaluable driverfeedback regarding the system operation and drivability. Those inputs were engineered into theproduction-intent system that will be running in these first 50 trucks.”
Eaton will provide its hybrid power systems to Freightliner and International for installationin a standard production line process at the truck makers’ plants. Unique software calibrationshave been created for each chassis and engine configuration to ensure optimum drivability,performance and fuel efficiency.
“UPS has partnered with Eaton over the last five years to test hybrid drive train systems inreal world settings,” said Robert Hall, UPS’s fleet environmental manager. “We are excited aboutthe technology advancements Eaton and UPS have achieved through testing and look forward to seeingthese next-generation hybrids perform for our fleet.”
Sweetnam added, “The UPS business is another positive step toward achieving a critical volume ofhybrid commercial vehicles that will provide a sustainable, commercially viable value proposition.The transition to that volume will continue to require tax credits and other incentives at thelocal, state and federal government level during the next three to four years. We’re workingdiligently with fleets, truck makers, other Tier 1 suppliers and government officials to help makethose incentives happen.”
