Hitachi Awarded Order from Eaton Corporation for Commercial Vehicle Hybrid System Through 2011
20 October 2008
Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd., which manufactures lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and other uses (earlier post), have been awarded an order from Eaton Corporation to supply motors, inverters, lithium-ion batteries and other components for Eaton’s hybrid power systems to be delivered through 2011. Plans call for commercial vehicles using Eaton’s hybrid system to be rolled out in markets in North America, Europe and Asia.
Hitachi expects the global market for commercial vehicle and passenger car HEVs to continue expanding from the 690,000 unit level recorded in 2007 to 1.5 million units in 2010. Eaton hybrid commercial vehicles deployed in fleet operations are today achieving between 30% and 60% savings in fuel costs, dependent on driving route and operating conditions, along with similar percentage decreases in NOx and other harmful emissions.
In 2005, Eaton was one of the first companies to deliver to commercial vehicle manufacturers a hybrid power system including Hitachi hybrid components. This system is already in use in commercial vehicles in North America and China in package delivery vans, medium-duty pickup and delivery operations, utility repair, city passenger transit and other applications.
Eaton looks to be one of the green companies to watch out for in the recession years to come.
Posted by: Peace Hugger | 20 October 2008 at 05:38 AM