Mon 21 May 2007
The Sleeperberth Cast Goes Green
Posted by Curtis C under Science, Technology, Trucking
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While at home this last week for a day, Mrs. C and I decided to attempt to go a bit greener. Of course this won’t be an all season solution to the problem, but it does point us down the right path. Apparently the trucking industry is finally getting ready to roll out their initial efforts in riding the green wave. Wal-Mart is ordering a hybrid 386 Peterbilt with plans on growing their fleet with these trucks to increase fleet efficiency by up to 25 percent over the next few years.
The Hybrid technology utilized on this truck is designed by Eaton Corporation. The system (called Eaton Hybrid Power System) retains energy generated by the engine, which would normally be lost during braking, and stores it in batteries for later use. That electricity is then sent through the motor/generator and blended with engine torque to improve vehicle performance, operate the engine in a more fuel-efficient range for a given speed and/or operate only with electric power in certain situations. This innovative process has been shown to increase driving efficiency by 5-7 percent. The system’s batteries even power the heating, air conditioning, and electrical system when the engine is turned off. The improved miles per gallon, combined with the reduction of idle time, could result in approximately $9,000 in annual fuel savings based on an average cost of $2.50 per gallon.
Though the trucking industry emits a smaller percentage of carbon emissions comparatively with Building and Other Industry than what is commonly believed. We do work in symbiotic accord with these groups. They need us as we need them. Thus it is good to see some technological progress on this front as well towards the stabilization of climate change and in general just good breathing.
