Odyne Systems was the recipient of the Work Truck Show 2013 Green Award for the advanced hybrid commercial vehicle it developed with ComEd of Chicago.
The Odyne vehicle is walk-in van equipped with a plug-in hybrid system that provides electrical power from a large ,advanced battery system. The batteries can be recharged for uninterrupted extended operations at the work site by the chassis engine, or through cleaner energy from the grid. The new hybrid system provides benefits during driving and stationary operations by reducing fuel consumption, emissions and work site noise.
Designed for ComEd’s underground electrical maintenance work in Chicago, the van is built on a chassis from Freightliner Custom Chassis and fitted with a Utilimaster walk-in van body and Team Fenex manhole air-delivery system. The vehicle can be parked above a manhole to provide workers below with all their electrical needs, plus cooled or heated fresh air. The system significantly reduces chassis engine idling and delivers over 14 kW of power for tools and other applications without the need for a separate diesel generator.
The Odyne system includes an Allison 2000 Series automatic transmission, Remy electric motor and Johnson Controls lithium-ion battery packs. When the van is being driven, hybrid components provide launch assist and regenerative braking, for improved performance and higher efficiency.
“We are very excited to bring this advance in hybrid and truck electrification technology to ComEd in an entirely new application that will significantly reduce their fuel costs and emissions, while extending the life of the truck and providing a quieter work environment,” said Joe Dalum, president of Odyne Systems, LLC.
“We envision that other communities with significant underground systems or companies with the need to export power quietly will be interested in exploring this technology to reduce their cost of operation while boosting productivity,” he continued. “We also look forward to further optimization of the hybrid drivetrain and continued gains in efficiency through Odyne’s engineering collaboration with investment partner Allison Transmission.”
The Green Award is presented annually to the product shown at the National Truck Equipment Assn.’s Work Truck Show that best advances work-truck fuel utilization as determined by a panel of trade media editors and fleet managers.
