Truck manufacturer Nissan Diesel is developing a diesel-electric medium-duty hybrid prototype using lightweight capacitors to replace heavy battery storage packs.
The truck's electric motor draws energy from Nissan Super Power Capacitors for energy storage and regeneration.
According to Nissan Diesel, trucks equipped with the electro-chemical double layer capacitor will be 50% more fuel-efficient than conventional diesel-powered trucks. Nissan said its capacitor should last over 965,000 miles over a ten-year period without replacement.
Nissan noted that capacitor vehicle technology is particularly well suited for city driving conditions, where the constant acceleration and deceleration of stop-and-go operational patterns recharge the electrical system.
