The four trucks, based on the Peterbilt Model 320 Hybrid with Labrie body, will operate in daily curbside recycling duty and are expected to provide up to 30% improvements in fuel economy and emissions and significant reductions maintenance costs.

“Eaton is proud to support the City of Ann Arbor and its efforts to be a leader in the adoption of sustainable transportation,” said Dimitri Kazarinoff, vice president and general manager of Eaton’s Hybrid Power Systems Division. “As an early adopter of this new hydraulic hybrid technology, the city is helping to move the country forward toward a greener and more fuel-efficient fleet.”

Eaton’s Hybrid Launch Assist technology has been tested on refuse vehicles in Fort Worth and Denver. The fuel-efficient Eaton HLA system captures the trucks’ kinetic energy during braking to assist in launching and accelerating the vehicle.

The HLA technology works by recovering up to 75% of the energy normally lost as heat by the vehicle’s brakes in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid. This fluid is stored in an on-board accumulator until the driver next accelerates the vehicle, which reduces fuel consumption and wear on the engine.

Testing has shown a significant improvement in maintenance costs. Brake replacement cost can potentially be reduced by four times compared to a baseline truck.

“Incorporating these types of cutting-edge technologies into our operations is critical to meeting the Mayor’s Green Energy Challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20%,” said Andrew Brix, energy programs manager for the City of Ann Arbor. “Also, the cost savings from reduced fuel use helps us continue to provide cost-effective services for our residents in these difficult economic times.”

Based in Denton, Texas, Peterbilt Motors Company (www.peterbilt.com) combines a global reputation for industry leading design, innovative engineering and fuel efficiency solutions, with superior quality to engineer a truck that stands as the “Class” of the industry, according to Eaton. Through its 250-plus North American dealer locations, Peterbilt also provides a variety of TruckCare programs to support its full lineup of vehicles, including hybrids, with aftermarket support programs.

Eaton says it offers the world’s most complete line-up of hybrid power systems for commercial vehicle applications. Eaton’s hybrid business is located at the company’s Vehicle Group headquarters in Charleston Township, Mich. near Kalamazoo. Engineering, development and testing of hybrid systems is also done at Eaton facilities in Marshall and Southfield, MI.

Eaton hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and two hybrid hydraulic power systems are available or in development on truck models including DAF, Freightliner, Ford, International, Iveco, Kenworth, Mercedes-Benz and Peterbilt, and on bus models from BCI, Foton, Heng Tong, JNP, King Long, Shen Long, Solaris, Yutong and Zhongtong. Eaton hybrid power systems have accumulated more than 50 million miles of road-tested service around the world and contributed to the saving of more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel and reducing more than 15,000 tons of harmful emissions.

Companies such as FedEx, UPS, Coca-Cola Enterprises, PepsiCo and Wal-Mart are using delivery vehicles with Eaton hybrid systems. Work trucks with Eaton hybrid power are also in service at Florida Power and Light and many utility and telecom companies across North America. Benefits of the existing Eaton hybrid systems include fuel savings up to 35%, with similar percentages in emission reductions, extended brake life and idle time reductions of up to 87% during work site operations.

About Eaton
Eaton Corp. is a diversified power management company with 2009 sales of $11.9 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.
www.eaton.com

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