Louisville, Kentucky  (March 21, 2007) – Peterbilt Motors Company continues development and testing of a full range of vehicles equipped with advanced hybrid technologies that increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and improve service requirements, the company announced during its press conference at the 2007 Mid-America Trucking Show.

“Peterbilt’s hybrid initiatives include development of both medium- and heavy-duty vehicle platforms and for both on-highway and vocational applications.  We will introduce hybrid vehicle solutions to serve a broad range of business requirements, helping customers reduce operating expenses and fostering greater environmental stewardship,” says Bill Jackson, Peterbilt General Manager and PACCAR Vice President.

This month, Peterbilt announced the latest of its hybrid initiatives, a hybrid electric Class 8 Model 386 configured for long-haul applications.  It combines the aerodynamic efficiency of the Model 386 with a parallel-type “direct” electric hybrid system.

“Peterbilt is actively developing and testing four distinct hybrid technology vehicle applications,” says Peterbilt Chief Engineer Landon Sproull.  “We are leading the industry by proactively researching and testing hybrid technologies, forging strategic partnerships with key suppliers and customers, and integrating hybrid solutions into our already fuel-efficient vehicle designs.”

According to Sproull, the four vehicle platforms are:

• A hybrid electric heavy duty vehicle for long-haul applications.
• A hybrid electric medium duty vehicle for pick-up and delivery applications.
• A hybrid electric medium duty vehicle equipped for stationary PTO applications.
• And a hydraulic hybrid heavy duty vehicle for vocational and stop-and-go applications.

“Focusing our resources on those four key areas allow us to serve a wide range of customer needs and fulfill market requirements,” says Sproull.  “Each of these vehicle platforms addresses unique customer concerns to reduce operating expenses and comply with various regulatory requirements.”

Heavy Duty On-Highway Hybrid Electric Vehicle

The heavy duty hybrid electric Model 386, configured for on-highway use, is being developed in conjunction with Eaton and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.  It is currently in the testing and evaluation phase and is expected to be available in 2010.  Wal-Mart, which operates the nation’s second largest private fleet, is supporting development by helping validate the concept and refine the final design.

During third-party testing, the Eaton Hybrid Power System has routinely achieved a 5-7 percent fuel savings versus comparable, non-hybrid models. 

The heavy-duty hybrid electric power system features an automated manual transmission with a parallel-type “direct” hybrid system, incorporating an electric motor/generator located between the output of an automated clutch and the input to Eaton’s Fuller® UltraShift® transmission.  The system captures energy generated by the diesel engine and recovers energy normally lost during braking and stores the energy in batteries. That electric torque 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.

According to Sproull, in this heavy-duty application of Eaton’s hybrid power technology, fuel efficiency and emissions reductions are best achieved both while the truck is rolling or standing still.  The system’s batteries power the heating, air conditioning and vehicle electrical systems while the engine is off. 

When the idle reduction mode is active, engine operation is limited to battery charging, an automatically controlled process that takes approximately five minutes per hour to fully charge the system.  In the proposed system design, a proprietary feature minimizes engine vibration during start-up and shutdown during the recharge periods, allowing the driver to rest without interruption.

Medium Duty Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Peterbilt has engineered a hybrid electric system, developed in conjunction with Eaton Corporation, with its Class 6 Peterbilt Model 330 configured for local pick-up and delivery applications and its Class 7 Model 335 equipped with a fully integrated Terex bucket lift body.

The Model 330 is powered by the PACCAR PX-6 engine rated at 240 horsepower and 560 ft-lbs of torque.  With the hybrid system engaged, horsepower increases to 300 and torque to 860 ft-lbs.  This configuration is ideal for stop-and-go use, such as urban pick-up and delivery, with the hybrid system resulting in 30 to 40 percent greater fuel savings by using electric power to accelerate the vehicle from a stop.

The Model 335 is also powered by the PACCAR PX-6 engine which regenerates lithium-ion batteries to electrically operate the PTO.  This application of hybrid technology is well suited for municipal and utility applications. 

Fuel use, emissions and noise are greatly reduced, and the crane apparatus can operate for up to 28 minutes solely on battery power.  The engine automatically starts to regenerate the batteries, which takes approximately 4.5 minutes.  During typical stationary operation of the PTO, the engine needs to run only about 1/6th of the time versus non-hybrid vehicles.

Both trucks use a parallel hybrid system with an electric motor that assists the mechanical diesel engine with supplemental torque for improved fuel economy.  The system stores energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking, and then reuses it for acceleration.  In the case of the Model 335, in which the vehicle is equipped with a PTO, the system also stores energy during idling to power the PTO.

Maintenance requirements are also reduced, according to Sproull, from less wear on the engine, as its workload is supplemented by the electric engine, and the brakes, since the charging of the battery retards the motion of the vehicle.

Both medium duty hybrid trucks are in limited production this year with full production expected for 2008.

Heavy Duty Vocational Hybrid Hydraulic Vehicle

The fourth area of development is hybrid Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA®) technology and is currently being evaluated for vocational and stop-and-go applications, such as refuse collection.  This technology is also being jointly developed with Eaton and recycles a truck’s kinetic energy to conserve fuel and assist in acceleration.

The system, currently integrated with Peterbilt’s low-cab-forward Model 320, increases brake life and reduces engine and transmission wear, potentially extending component life and lowering service costs.  It is also more environmentally friendly by decreasing exhaust emissions and noise.

Sproull says the versatile HLA technology can be used to considerably improve fuel efficiency in fuel economy mode or reduce cycle times in productivity mode.  In both modes, reduced brake wear of more than 50 percent has been observed.

From a driver perspective, operating a vehicle equipped with the HLA system is seamless and requires no new training or skills.  From a service standpoint, because HLA utilizes common hydraulic-based technologies, the system should be familiar territory for shop technicians.

HLA works by recovering a portion of the energy normally lost as heat by the vehicle’s brakes, in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid.  This fluid is stored in on-board accumulators until the driver next accelerates the vehicle.

Fuel savings occur when the stored energy is then used to launch the vehicle during the initial, high fuel consumption start from stop, followed seamlessly by power from the primary engine.  In performance mode, the stored energy is released and blended with engine power at launch.  This can significantly improve acceleration due to the high power density of hydraulics.

Peterbilt Motors Company, a division of PACCAR Inc (Nasdaq: PCAR), manufactures premium quality trucks for a wide range of markets, including over-the-road, construction, municipal and medium-duty.  Based in Denton, Texas, Peterbilt combines classic styling, innovative design and superior-quality features in a custom-engineered truck that stands as the "Class" of the industry.  Through its 200-plus North American dealer locations, Peterbilt also provides a comprehensive array of TruckCare® aftermarket support programs, including preventive maintenance plans, expedited QuickCare services, automated parts inventory replenishment and 24/7 complimentary Customer Assistance through 1-800-4-PETERBILT.  For more information about Peterbilt, visit http://www.peterbilt.com.