PACCAR and Eaton Announce Heavy-Duty Hybrid Truck Technology Agreement

22 August 2007

The Peterbilt 386 diesel-electric hybrid, announced earlier this year.

PACCAR and Eaton Corporation have entered into an agreement to develop jointly proprietary hybrid technology for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in North America. The new products will be introduced exclusively in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in the North American market, targeted for initial production by the end of 2009.

Eaton’s heavy-duty hybrid electric power system will be built using an automated manual transmission with a parallel-type direct hybrid system, incorporating an electric motor/generator located between the output of an automated clutch and the input to a Fuller UltraShift transmission.

The system will support regenerative braking, with the power used to provide electric motor torque for blending with engine torque to improve vehicle performance; to operate the engine in a more fuel-efficient range for a given speed; or to operate with electric power only.

Fleets using the PACCAR-Eaton heavy-duty hybrid system will experience reduced fuel consumption both while driving and at the truck stop.

Earlier this year, Peterbilt and Eaton unveiled an aerodynamically styled Class-8 heavy-duty vehicle, the Peterbilt 386. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which operates the nation’s second largest private fleet, is supporting development of the technologies by helping to validate the concept and refine the final design. (Earlier post.)

The Eaton heavy-duty hybrid system with idle reduction used in the 386 features the same architecture described above, with a 44 kW electric motor/generator located between the output of an automated clutch and the input to the.

PACCAR and Eaton developed the technology utilized in previously announced Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF medium-duty hybrid trucks that will be launched next year. [earlier post] This heavy-duty hybrid technology agreement is a natural extension to the existing partnership.

— Tom Plimpton, PACCAR President

PACCAR has targeted a goal of 30% improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency for selected medium duty applications over the next seven years, with hybrid technology as a key contributor to achieving that objective, according to Mark C. Pigott, PACCAR Chairman and CEO.

In addition to hybrid diesel-electric solutions for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, PACCAR recently introduced Kenworth CleanPower and Peterbilt Comfort Class.

These factory-installed climate control systems provide heating and cooling, plus 110-volt ‘hotel load’ power for up to ten hours without the need to operate the engine, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy by up to eight percent, according to PACCAR.