Fresno Orders Plug-In Series-Hybrid CNG Refuse Truck
02 March 2006
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| Autocar WXLL refuse truck |
The city of Fresno, California, has ordered a heavy-duty plug-in series-hybrid CNG refuse truck from Odyne Corporation—the first of its kind.
Odyne will modify a new Autocar Refuse Collection Truck with the new fuel system and series-hybrid plug-in drive. The CNG plug-in hybrid will be used for in-service demonstration and monitoring in its municipal special collection fleet.
The powertrain uses a Cummins Westport C Gas Plus engine to drive a generator that powers a 300 kW traction motor that delivers 2,034 Nm of torque. The battery pack is a 50 kWh AGM lead-acid system. The batteries are recharged by grid plug-in and regenerative braking as well as by the generator.
The state-of-charge strategy for charging the battery via the genset during driving is based on a particular application, but in general it is in the 40% to 80% SOC range. Odyne expects the CNG plug-in to deliver 6 to 8 miles per equivalent gallon, with the plug-in electric miles being about 50% of the cost of the CNG miles.
The fuel tanks hold the gas at 4,000 psi, and provide sufficient fuel for a minimum range of 200 miles. Odyne is exploring fitting in more tank capacity.
This project is funded by the City of Fresno and by the Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), which is targeted with improving air quality and reducing congestion.
Odyne Corporation is currently working with other organizations including Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Town of Hempstead-NY, the Town of North Hempstead-NY, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Greater LI Clean Cities Coalition (GLICCC) and others, in the production of plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles for a range of applications, including para-transit buses, light-transit buses, and refuse trucks. (Earlier post.)
Interesting. I understand the logic of plugins for commuters, who may only use their vehicles a relatively small amount most days (to work and back, and that's all). But for a work truck like this that is likely to be in operation all day long, it seems to me that the power it stores from the grid overnight will be exhausted pretty quickly and not really make much difference overall.
Still, seems like a nice piece.
Posted by: Marc | 03 March 2006 at 06:08 PM
The series hybrid is more efficient than parallel hybrid in stop start-applications such as this refuse truck - and like the Orion buses used in New York. These are also series hybrids with overnight recharge of the lead acid batteries. NYCTA have ordered the biggest fleet in the world of these buses - over 400. This refuse truck is basically the same approach. Good news.
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Posted by: ting hua | 25 February 2007 at 07:53 PM