Navistar Reaches 5 Million Hybrid Miles

Aug. 17, 2009
Trucks can deliver up to 40% fuel savings in stop-and-go driving and pick-up/delivery operations and produces zero emissions when auxiliary equipment operates solely on the truck's hybrid battery power.

Drivers of hybrid-powered International trucks and IC Bus brand school and commercial buses have helped Navistar become the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to accumulate more than 5 million real-world miles.

"By developing clean vehicle technologies that reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, we're able to deliver significant savings to the customers bottom line and, at the same time, help them reduce their overall carbon footprint," said Jack Allen, president, Navistars North American truck group.

In November 2007, Navistar launched the Class 6 medium-duty International DuraStar Hybrid. In October of 2008 the company expanded its hybrid product portfolio with the Class 7 International DuraStar Hybrid Tractor, targeting general freight haulers and food/beverage distributors with diminishing loads. This past March, Navistar introduced the Class 7 severe service International WorkStar Hybrid 4x4, a hybrid four-wheel-drive commercial truck.

Depending on the specific application and other conditions, International hybrid trucks can deliver up to 40% fuel savings in stop-and-go driving and pick-up/delivery operations, according to the company. Beyond the fuel savings potential, the hybrid trucks produce zero emissions when auxiliary equipment (like an overhead utility bucket) operates solely on the trucks hybrid battery power.

"The continued success of these trucks on the road demonstrates not only the reliability of hybrid technology, but also the potential for significant fuel savings and emissions improvement within real-world applications," said George Survant, director of fleet services for Florida Power and Light and chairperson of the Hybrid Truck Users Forum Working Group.

Beyond Hybrid -- All-Electric Delivery Vehicles

Two weeks ago, President Barack Obama traveled to Navistar's Wakarusa, Ind., manufacturing facility to celebrate the award of a $39 million federal grant to develop and build all-electric delivery vehicles. Through this U.S. Department of Energy grant, Navistar plans to build 400 all-electric vehicles in 2010 and expects to be producing several thousand vehicles annually within a couple of years. This zero emissions all-electric delivery vehicle would primarily be used by drivers for local deliveries where stop- and-go driving would otherwise consume a large amount of fuel.

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