Volvo Trucks' Latest Concept Vehicle Tests a Hybrid Powertrain for Long Haul Transport

PR67549

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Feb. 28, 2017/PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    - 'With Photo'

    With the Volvo Concept Truck, Volvo Trucks has developed its first hybrid

vehicle designed for long haul applications. In combination with the vehicle's

other improvements, the total reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 is around

30 per cent.  

    To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8047351-volvo-trucks-concept-hybrid-powertrain/

    Volvo Trucks first unveiled the Volvo Concept Truck in May 2016, and has

now developed and enhanced the vehicle even further. In addition to the

improvements in aerodynamics, rolling resistance and reduced weight, the new

version also features a hybrid powertrain - one of the first of its kind for

heavy-duty trucks in long haul applications.

    "We strive to be at the forefront of electromobility and to constantly push

the limits when it comes to reducing fuel consumption and emissions," says

Claes Nilsson, CEO at Volvo Trucks. "Over the coming years, as society moves

more and more towards renewable energy, we strongly believe that

electromobility and hybrid technology will become increasingly important. The

powertrain in our concept truck has been developed to improve transport

efficiency and thereby help the industry towards sustainable transport. With

the concept truck we will gain valuable knowledge and experience, which will

help us develop the technology further."

    The hybrid powertrain works by recovering energy when driving downhill on

slopes steeper than one per cent, or when braking. The recovered energy is

stored in the vehicle's batteries and used to power the truck in electric mode

on flat roads or low gradients. An enhanced version of Volvo Trucks' driver

support system I-See has been developed specially for the hybrid powertrain,

which analyses upcoming topography to calculate the most economical and

efficient choice between the diesel engine and the electric motor, as well as

the optimal time to use the recovered energy.

    In long haul transportation, it is estimated that the hybrid powertrain

will allow the combustion engine to be shut off for up to 30 per cent of the

driving time. This will save between 5-10 per cent in fuel, depending on the

vehicle type or specification, and its drive cycle. It also offers the ability

to drive in full electric mode for up to 10 kilometres, enabling the vehicle to

operate with zero emissions and low noise.

    "Today, long haul transport accounts for a significant share of the total

energy consumption in the transportation sector. Using hybrid technology, the

potential reduction in fuel and emissions is considerable and an important step

towards reaching both our and society's environmental goals for the future,"

says Lars Martensson, Director Environment and Innovation, Volvo Trucks.

    The Volvo Concept Truck also builds on many of the gains achieved by its

predecessor, namely improved aerodynamics, rolling resistance and reduced

vehicle weight. "This is a platform for verifying several new technologies for

increasing transport efficiency," says Ake Othzen, Chief Project Manager, Volvo

Trucks. "Some of these developments have already been introduced to our trucks,

and some will be introduced in the near future. The hybrid powertrain is partly

based on knowledge and experience from Volvo Buses' hybrid and electric buses."

    Facts: Volvo Concept Truck

    - The Volvo Concept Truck is the result of the Swedish part of a bilateral

research project involving both the Swedish energy authority Energimyndigheten

and the US Department of Energy.

    - An American Concept Truck, the SuperTruck project, was developed as part

of the US Department of Energy's SuperTruck programme, which promotes research

and development to improve transport efficiency for long-haul operations in

North America.

    Facts: Electric hybrid powertrain

    - Recovers energy when driving downhill on slopes steeper than one per

cent, or when braking. The recovered energy is stored in the vehicle's

batteries and used to power the truck in electric mode on flat roads or low

gradients.

    - An enhanced version of Volvo Trucks' driver support system I-See, which

has been developed specially for the hybrid powertrain, analyses the upcoming

topography using information from GPS and the electronic map. Using an advanced

algorithm, based on the road's elevation and expected speed, the system

calculates the most economical and efficient use of both the diesel engine and

the electric motor, as well as the optimal times to use the recovered energy.  

    - In long haul transportation, it is estimated that the hybrid powertrain

will allow the combustion engine to be shut off for up to 30 per cent of

driving time. This will save between 5-10 per cent in fuel, depending on the

vehicle and its drive cycle.

    Specifications: Volvo Concept Truck

    Truck model: Volvo FH

    Engine: Volvo D13 Euro 6 Step C

    See film about Volvo Concept Truck here [https://youtu.be/uV-54LlSbcw]

    Link to high res images [https://ftp.gbg.spoon.se/_6Ye0xg5FG-F7LR]

    Read more about Volvo Concept Truck here

[http://www.volvotrucks.com/en-en/news-stories/press-release.html?pubid=20470]

    Learn more about Volvo SuperTruck here

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KndAcoPLZQY]

    For further information, please contact:

    Christina Magnusson, PR and Media Relations Volvo Trucks

    phone: +46-31-3227636, e-mail: christina.ohlsson-jones@volvo.com

    For broadcast-quality videos supporting this press release and more, please

visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/volvotrucks

    Press images and films are available in the Volvo Trucks image and film

gallery at http://images.volvotrucks.com

    Note to Editors:

    A picture/s accompanying this release is available through the PA

Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or

viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

    (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471801/Volvo_Concept_Truck.jpg )

    SOURCE: Volvo Trucks