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Hybrid-Electric Port Truck Demonstration Approved
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November 4, 2011
As part of an ongoing effort to develop zero-emission transportation
systems for ship cargo containers, the Southland’s air quality agency today
approved two demonstration projects for hybrid-electric heavy-duty trucks.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) today approved $1.56
million to develop and demonstrate two hybrid trucks in partnership with
Volvo, Capstone Turbine Corp. and Kenworth Truck Co.
“Today’s goods movement of cargo from the ports of Los Angeles and Long
Beach to destinations across the country is powered by highly polluting
diesel-fueled trucks and trains,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D., AQMD’s
Governing Board Chairman.
“This demonstration project is one step along the path toward creating a
zero-polluting goods movement system that will improve the health of
millions of Southland residents.”
Under the project, Volvo will build and demonstrate a plug-in hybrid big rig
truck that will rely on a rechargeable battery for part of its power. In
addition to battery power, the truck will use a diesel engine that is
smaller and less-polluting than those in today’s diesel trucks.
Also under the project, Capstone Turbine and Kenworth Truck will build and
demonstrate a hybrid electric truck. Similar to today’s plug-in hybrid cars
such as the Chevy Volt, the truck will be capable of driving up to 10 miles
on a battery charge, resulting in zero-emissions. When the battery charge is
depleted, the truck will get its power from an onboard microturbine.
Microturbines are highly efficient at burning fuel -- in this case diesel --
to produce electricity. The microturbines’ emissions are expected to be four
times lower than the 2010 standard for new diesel engines.
In other action today, AQMD approved a demonstration program for a Ford
Crown Victoria police patrol vehicle fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG.)
Police vehicles powered by CNG already are in use by the city of Redlands
and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and will be in the near
future by the city of South Pasadena. Extensive testing by the sheriff’s
department has shown that CNG Crown Victorias can match the performance of
their gasoline counterparts in most respects.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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This page updated:
November 15, 2011
URL: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/2011/bs11411.htm
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