Volvo Introduces Hybrid Technology For Heavy Vehicles
Published in: Associated Equipment Distributors
Date: 3/13/2006
The Volvo Group has developed a hybrid power system for heavy vehicles which offers up to a 35 percent savings on fuel. The engines will be released in 2009.
We envision opportunities to accelerate developments in commercially viable hybrid engines for heavy vehicles. This can be significant for both our customers and for the environment, says Leif Johansson, president and CEO of AB Volvo.
The Volvo Groups hybrid power system concept provides maximum fuel-saving effects in transport operations with frequent braking and acceleration. Calculations indicate that fuel savings can amount to 35 percent. Maintenance costs for vehicles can also be reduced through reduced wear on the braking system.
There is a growing interest in the market to reduce fuel consumption,” says Johansson. “This is driven by the uncertainty surrounding the physical and political availability of oil, and perhaps primarily, by climate change issues. Accordingly, many customers are seriously reviewing how they can contribute to reduce the dependency on oil. We now have a technology that is interesting from a commercial viewpoint, which opens a hybrid power system market for heavy vehicles.”
A vital part of the hybrid project solution is designated I-SAM (Integrated Starter, Alternator Motor). It is comprised of a start motor, drive engine and generator. I-SAM works together with an automatic, converted mechanical transmission, which was developed within the Volvo Group, an electronic control unit as well as conventional diesel engine, and batteries that are charged by braking energy. Through linking the electric motor and diesel engine in parallel, they can work together to operate the vehicle. In this manner, the capacity of the hybrid system is substantially increased compared with series hybrids, which are the standard solutions currently being tested in heavy vehicles. I-SAM provides sufficient power resources to start and accelerate even heavy vehicles to an appropriate speed without assistance from the diesel engine. This also significantly reduces the noise level of the vehicle.
It is mainly due to the Volvo Groups experience and competence in the development of diesel engines, electronics, electronic controls and transmissions that have enabled the production of an efficient hybrid power system for heavy vehicles. For several decades, the Volvo Group has been the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty diesel engines in the 9 to 18 liter classes.
The Volvo Group is also participating in the development of a new type of battery, Effpower, which is based on proven lead-acid technology used in start batteries in today’s vehicles. (Effpower is a Swedish-based company developing bipolar battery technology.) Through this new technology, the power output has been doubled, while at the same time manufacturing costs for the batteries can be significantly reduced compared with alternatives on the market. With the Effpower battery, the cost efficiency in electrical hybrids can be further enhanced.
The hybrid power system is a long-term and highly interesting solution for efficient and environmentally-adapted transport activities. We are aware that oil prices for our customers will rise, and therefore, all solutions that reduce fuel consumption are highly attractive. The diesel engine in our hybrid solution can also be operated using biofuels, and consequently, transport activities can be conducted without carbon dioxide emissions. This paves the way for interesting developments toward long-term sustainable transport solutions, said Johansson.
For more information, visit www.volvoce.com