XL Hybrids, Inc. has extended availability of its patent-pending XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System to Class 3-4 cutaway and strip chassis vehicles rated up to 14,500-lbs GVW. Up until now, the system had been offered by XL Hybrids for Class 1-2 vans.
“This opens up opportunities for fleets operating cutaway and strip chassis vans to get a 25% increase in miles driven per gallon, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% and see an attractive return on their investment,” said Tod Hynes, president and founder of XL Hybrids.
The company said the hybrid system is now available for the Ford E-350 cutaway and Ford E-450 cutaway and will soon be offered for the Ford E-350 and E-450 stripped chassis as well as GMC 3500/4500 cutaway chassis.
Typical Class 3-4 applications for the powertrain include trucks fitted with van, walk-in van, reefer, utility and landscaping bodies.
According to XL Hybrids, its “charge-sustaining powertrain installs in just five hours and has zero impact on fleet operations because there are no special plugs, charging or fueling infrastructure, driver training or maintenance requirements.”
The company noted that its hybrid-electric powertrain has been awarded the NTEA 2014 Green Award for innovation in improving work-truck fuel utilization and that such large fleets as Coca-Cola and FedEx have adopted its technology to power vehicles.
“We‘re quickly changing the mindset of companies relying on fleet vehicles for their business success,” said Jay Sandler, vice president of sales & marketing for XL Hybrids.
“With our simple approach to hybrid electric conversions, commercial fleets can increase their miles driven per gallon, reduce operating costs, and meet sustainability goals,” he continued.
“The XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System is not only eco-friendly, it lowers cost of ownership for truck, van and shuttle bus fleets,” Sandler added.
