Navistar unveiled the new International DuraStar Hybrid tractor, designed for general freight haulers and food & beverage distributors, at the Hybrid Truck Users Forum in South Bend, IN earlier this week. According to the company, the Class 7 diesel-electric hybrid tractor can deliver between 20 and 25% fuel savings in standard P&D applications.
“Hybrid trucks are the next step in providing expanded fuel efficiency options for customers as they face the new realities of high diesel costs and tough economic conditions,” said Steve Guillaume, gm, medium truck group, Navistar. “Saving 20 to 25% 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.”
Using a diesel-electric hybrid architecture supplied by Eaton Corp., the tractor emits up to 33% less hydrocarbon emissions and 35% less nitrogen oxide emissions compared to standard diesel trucks, according to Navistar. The system incorporates an electric motor/generator between the output of an automated clutch and input of an automated manual transmission. This recovers energy during braking and therefore adds power back into the driveline during start and acceleration, the company added.
