Hydraulic Hybrid UPS Delivery Vehicle Demonstrated

I applaud the EPA for this.

U.S. EPA demonstrates hydraulic hybrid UPS delivery vehicle:

Vehicle achieves 60 – 70 percent better fuel economy, 40 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions

Release date: 12/17/2007
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute 213-244-1815

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today demonstrated its hydraulic hybrid UPS delivery vehicle at the South Coast Air Quality Management District in Diamond Bar, Calif. which, in laboratory tests, achieved a 60 – 70 percent improvement in fuel economy and 40 percent reduction in emissions over a conventional vehicle.

The unique UPS delivery vehicle features EPA-patented hydraulic hybrid technology. The vehicle uses hydraulic pumps and hydraulic storage tanks to store energy, similar to what is done with electric motors and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles. Fuel economy is increased in three ways: vehicle braking energy is recovered that normally is wasted; the engine is operated more efficiently; and the engine can be shut off when stopped or decelerating.

“If every drayage truck and yard hostler in the ports adopted...(complete article here).

Different energy applications require different solutions. This is a partial solution that targets an area of very high opportunity.