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Volvo tests hybrid refuse trucks for production in 2009

Those Swedes are smart people, and always so considerate towards the environment! Two Swedish refuse companies, Renova and Ragn-Sells, are currently testing hybrid trucks designed by Volvo for commercialisation during 2009. In the last phase of testing and evaluation phase, two trucks are being used for every-day refuse collection in a major Swedish city.

Volvo’s hybrid combines a 7 litre 235kW diesel engine with a 120 kW I-SAM electric motor to drive the vehicle. I-SAM stands for Integrated Starter Alternator Motor, which basically means that a single electric motor is used as starter motor, electric drive engine and alternator. The electric unit is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack that is charged through regenerative braking. In addition, another battery pack can be included that can be charged from a regular electricity grid overnight in order to power all the vehicle’s electric systems.

The electric engine powers the trucks up to 20km/h – with most of us probably knowing how slow refuse trucks are and how often they stop, this is a very good indication for fuel consumption reduction. In addition, the truck also has an automatic stop/start function that switches off the engine (which is only activated at higher speeds) when the vehicle stops.

Volvo aims to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20% on the standard vehicle, or 30% with the additional grid-charged battery pack, with similar reductions in harmful emissions. The Volvo FE Hybrid will be sold to the public from 2009 onwards. Volvo is also expected to develop other applications for its hybrid system aimed at vehicles that do long-haul duty.

Relevance for South Africa: Well, we already have Volvo trucks in South Africa, so the possibility of hybrid versions from 2010 cannot be discounted. It could help reduce the amount of diesel smoke belched out by trucks on our roads every da, and improve a company’s green credentials. As an aside, has anyone else noticed that truck exhausts are almost always on the right hand side of the vehicle – i.e. right in front of any vehicle passing it on the right hand side? Surely this affects my car’s performance, exhausts and my health….

By Christie Viljoen

Sources: Autoblog Green; Auto Express; Crash.net; Green Car Congress; Puregreencars;

Pictures courtesy of Puregreencars

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