Purolator Buys 115 Azure Dynamics Series-Hybrid Delivery Vans
15 September 2005
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| Purolator series hybrid vans |
Purolator Courier, Canada’s largest courier company, is purchasing 115 new series hybrid-electric delivery vans from Azure Dynamics. This marks the largest hybrid order to date in the commercial delivery industry.
Azure Dynamics and Purolator signed a supply agreement in Sep 2003 for the replacement of up to 2,000 conventional vehicles with Azure-powered hybrid-electric vehicle technology.
The order now placed by Purolator represents the first commercial production vehicles to be produced by Azure under that agreement and comes after a period of extensive pre-production testing by both Purolator and Azure of Purolator vans outfitted with Azure powertrain technology. (Earlier post.)
The Purolator hybrids are based on Azure’s G1 series-hybrid powertrain, which is designed for vehicles up to 15,000 pounds gross weight.
The initial Purolator vans are diesel hybrids, based on a GEP 6.5-liter diesel, but Azure has also developed a gasoline series hybrid version of the Purolator van using a GM Vortec 4.8-liter gasoline engine and is completing testing and vehicle controls development on that version.
Azure Dynamics is using a 336V NiMH battery system from Cobasys as the energy storage. (Earlier post.)
The G1 delivers 85 kW continuous, 90 kW peak power, and 450 Nm of torque. The vans have a peak speed of 65 mph, and an all-electric range of 2.5 miles.
In Purolator’s testing, emissions dropped by a minimum of 50% while fuel consumption was reduced by approximately 50% compared to conventional delivery vehicles.
Good! I see these vans all around and - like most couriers - they seem perfect for the hybrid system (idle-stop, regenerative breaking, acceleration using electric motors).
Posted by: Mikhail Capone | 15 September 2005 at 05:40 PM
They are also great candidates for solar panels with all that realestate.
Posted by: Schwa | 15 September 2005 at 07:01 PM
It's wonderful to see this technology finally reach the market. Azure Dynamics is taking orders for it's first 100 Citibus shuttle buses, for delivery in 2006, based on the series hybrid sold to Purolator.
What's next AZD??? Maybe a plug-in hybrid electric school bus : )
Posted by: azure | 17 September 2005 at 08:08 AM
Schwa, your suggestion make a lot of sense. Some 25 square meters of roof equipped with solar panels (25 x 120 watts) could produce as much as 3Kw/per hour during 6 to 8 hours on sunny days for a toal of about 21 Kwh. That would enough to move the vehicle for a few free miles every day if the on-board batteries can take it. Plug-ins hybrid would be a good candidates.
Posted by: Harvey D | 17 September 2005 at 09:07 AM
The order now placed by Purolator represents the first commercial production vehicles to be produced by Azure under that agreement and comes after a period of extensive pre-production testing by both Purolator and Azure of Purolator vans outfitted with Azure powertrain technology. (Earlier post.) student accommodation london
Posted by: morkel001 | 12 November 2012 at 02:28 AM