Hyliion has announced positive initial results from a truck loan program launched in conjunction with Portland-based natural gas provider NW Natural, which featured Hyliion’s hybrid CNG solution.
As part of the program, Hyliion collaborated with NW Natural to equip a Freightliner Cascadia day cab with their Hybrid compressed natural gas (CNG) solution, a self-charging powertrain that boosts performance by adding up to 120 HP to a Class 8 semi-truck—enough power, according to Hyliion, to allow the vehicle to perform more like a diesel truck.
The Hybrid CNG truck was loaned to three Oregon-area fleet operators—Baker Rock Resources, Tillamook County Creamery Association, and Calportland—over a three-week trial period. Each participant reported that the Hyliion Hybrid solution delivered more power, greater sustainability and improved operating costs, Hyliion reports.
Three test cases:
- Baker Rock Resources is a family-owned business that has provided construction and landscaping materials to the Portland area for more than 60 years, with a focus on operating sustainably. From the first time a driver of the Hyliion Hybrid CNG equipped truck hauled a full load up a steep hill with ample power, Keith Peal, vice president of marketing and sales, concluded that he’d found a way to match his company’s environmental goals to its operating needs. “The demonstration was a complete success, and we absolutely have plans to add the technology to our fleet,” said Peal.
- Tillamook County Creamery Association, headquartered on the Oregon coast, has been supplying premium dairy products to loyal customers across the state for more than a century. To bring its products to the Portland area, drivers cross the Oregon Coast Range on a winding two-lane highway—carrying heavy loads. During the three-week trial, the e-axle boosted speeds while maintaining optimum power and saving on fuel costs. “Our business is committed to stewardship, and we’re constantly looking at ways to reduce our environmental impact and improve efficiency, including our fleet of 16 trucks,” says Jocelyn Bridson, Tillamook’s director of environment and community impact. “Being able to test a CNG-electric hybrid truck helped us see firsthand that the technology available today performs well on our distribution routes, with enough power to get over mountain passes, and was straightforward for our drivers. As a result of this trial, we are assessing the potential to replace our diesel trucks with Hyliion’s natural gas vehicles.”
- CalPortland is a multi-state operation producing and delivering cement, concrete, and other construction materials. CalPortland also has a strong commitment to environmental protection, advocating for products and practices that yield the least possible environmental impact. Their transportation team found the Hyliion Hybrid CNG truck was easy to operate, with the potential to significantly lower the fleet’s carbon footprint. “The vehicle provided by Hyliion and NW Natural is a great opportunity to add an environmentally-friendly option for hauling freight,” said Matthew Meyer, CalPortland’s director of fleet management.
