Navistar unveils new hybrid truck

With the spiraling cost of fuel and the average cost of diesel in 2008 climbing around 39 percent versus last year, it’s no surprise that truck manufacturers are looking to lighten the burden on trucking operators. To this end Navistar, makers of the LoneStar, has expanded its line of diesel electric hybrid trucks with the unveiling of their International DuraStar Hybrid tractor at this week’s Hybrid Truck Users Forum in South Bend, Indiana. Navistar claims that, like other trucks in their International DuraStar Hybrid line, the new diesel electric hybrid Class 7 tractor has the proven capability to provide fuel savings of 20-25 percent on standard in-city pickup and delivery applications.

Savings on fuel costs aren’t the only benefits of the International DuraStar Hybrid line, with the vehicle emitting up to 33 percent less hydrocarbon emissions and 35 percent less nitrogen oxide emissions versus standard diesel trucks.

These reductions are achieved by employing parallel-type, diesel-electric hybrid architecture that is supplied by Eaton Corporation. It incorporates an electric motor/generator between the output of an automated clutch and input of the automated manual transmission. The hybrid-electric system recovers energy during braking, and can add power back into the driveline during start and acceleration. This capability makes the truck more efficient in standard driving, particularly in city and stop-and-go driving.

As Steve Guillaume, General Manager of Navistar’s medium truck group points out, “Saving 20-25 percent in fuel costs is nearly the equivalent of paying about $2.91 for diesel at the pump versus the national average of $3.88 per gallon.” With savings like that and the added benefit of doing their bit for the planet, the International DuraStar Hybrid gets our tick of approval.

For further info visit Navistar.