Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp., a developer of hybrid power systems for commercial trucks and buses, announced that customers of its hybrid systems have collectively accumulated more than 100 million miles of service, reducing fuel consumption by 4 million gallons of diesel fuel and harmful emissions by 40,000 metric tons.
According to the company, more than 4,500 of Eaton’s hybrid systems are in use today on city buses, school buses, delivery trucks, refuse and recycling trucks, utility vehicles and other commercial applications. Eaton also has begun offering a complete line of electric vehicle charging systems to further reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
The company said it set major hybrid systems milestones in 2010, delivering systems to global customers in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and United States. Eaton also began commercial production of its hybrid hydraulic system known as Eaton Hydraulic Launch Assist, or Eaton HLA, in the fall of 2010.
“Eaton’s leadership in hybrid power is expanding, and we’re seeing proven acceptance of hybrid technology among global truck and bus manufacturers, as well as fleet owners and operators,” said Dimitri Kazarinoff, vice president and general manager of Eaton’s Hybrid Power Systems Division. “The early adopters of the technology are returning to place orders for hundreds of trucks and buses, and a record number of new customers are starting to step forward and experience the benefits of our proven technology.”
UPS is one of those customers. Earlier this year, the company ordered 130 of Eaton’s hybrid systems that will be deployed next year in New York, New Jersey and California. UPS estimates these 130 delivery vehicles will save 66,085 gallons of fuel and 671 metric tons of emissions annually, representing a 35% improvement in fuel economy.
“Hybrid electric technology has proven itself to be effective in the field,” said Mike Britt, UPS’s director of vehicle engineering. “We are eager to receive these new Hybrids and get them on the road. Continued investment in fuel-efficient technology is a part of UPS’s overall environmental strategy.”
Eaton offers a complete line-up of hybrid systems for commercial vehicle applications and the charging and networked charging infrastructure for commercial and residential applications. Eaton hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hybrid hydraulic power systems are available or in development on truck models including Crane Carrier Corp., DAF, Daimler, Freightliner, Ford, International, Iveco, Kenworth, and Peterbilt and on bus models from BCI, Foton, Heng Tong, JNP, King Long, Shen Long, Solaris, Tata, YoungMan, Yutong and Zhongtong.