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XL Hybrids awarded DOE Small Business Vouchers Pilot; testing of first diesel/XL3 combo at Argonne

XL Hybrids, Inc. has been awarded test funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Vouchers Pilot (SBV). Testing validation and analysis of its XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System for Reach walk-in commercial vans will be performed at Argonne National Laboratory. The goal of the SBV-funded project is to overcome specific technical challenges, the company said.

The Reach van from Utilimaster is a high-roof Class 3 delivery van that comes with a standard 151.4 inch wheelbase and the high efficiency 3.0L, 150 hp, Isuzu DOHC I-4 diesel engine. The XL3 hybrid system is available on the Reach van with 2,500 pounds payload capacity with the XL3 system installed. (Hybrid system weight is 385 lbs / 175 kg.)

The Reach commercial van is the first diesel-powered vehicle with the XL3 powertrain, said Ed Lovelace, chief technology officer for XL Hybrids. The XL3 system provides a 25% increase in miles driven per gallon for the Reach van, the company says.

Reach
XL3 hybrid electric drive system for diesel. Click to enlarge.

The hybrid drive system is equipped with a 1.8 kWh Li-ion battery pack, and a motor that delivers 220 lb-ft (298 N·m) of torque. System voltage is 259 V.

The award-winning XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System is a simple solution that helps commercial and municipal fleets lower operating costs and their carbon footprint. XL3 works seamlessly in the background with zero impact on fleet operations or service, and no driver training or infrastructure requirements. The technology has a quick adoption rate for fleets since there’s no need for special plugs, charging or fueling infrastructure.

Reach vans with XL Hybrids’ technology appeal to national delivery service companies, public sector and corporate fleets that are seeking ways to reduce fuel consumption and meet sustainability goals.

Launched by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Small Business Vouchers Pilot matches select clean energy small businesses with experts from the national labs, and gives the businesses vouchers that they can exchange for national lab technical assistance. A network of advanced science and technology centers, US national laboratories push the boundaries of research to address current and anticipated energy challenges. The labs have developed deep expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and world-class, often unique, resources.

Vouchers range from $50-$300K and focus on nine clean energy technologies.

Comments

HarveyD

Toyota has produced over 10,000,000 equivalent HEVs in the last 18 years. What is new here?

Bill

Toyota does cars. These are fleet trucks. Lots of new opportunities to save fuel and greenhouse gas emissions. Drive and load profile optimization is very different. Congratulations to XLHybrids for doing good things.

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