Mack Trucks Bring First Parallel Hybrid to NY

Volvo's group subsidiary Mack Trucks delivered today the first parallel-hybrid truck, designed for heavy-duty applications in the US. The refuse vehicle will be tested by the city of New York's Department of Sanitation.

Thanks to its hybrid architecture (electric motor and diesel engine), the hybrid Mack provides fuel consumption ratings reduced by as much as 30 percent and 30 percent lower CO2 emissions. The Mack truck is EPA10 compliant.

“We are very proud to be the first city in the country with a Mack truck of this type,” New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. “We all want clean neighborhoods, clean air, a clean environment. And clean trucks like this are essential in delivering on that promise.”

The hybrid works just as every other similar vehicle. When the vehicle is first started, only the electric motor is used. The diesel engine starts operating when the vehicle has reached a certain speed. When the vehicle brakes, the electric motor converts brake energy to electricity that is stored in batteries and subsequently used when the motor starts again.

The refuse truck is part of a broader campaign by Mack trucks to develop hybrid heavy duty vehicles. Up until now, the Volvo Group has developed some 20 such vehicles, including the aforementioned refuse truck, buses and wheel loaders.

The parallel hybrid architecture is designed as standardized and adaptable as possible, so its implementation in different commercial vehicles is as easy and straight forward as possible. This type of design will also help reduce production costs, should the need for mass production arise.