Energy Dept. Awards Contract to Eaton Corp. to Advance Truck Hybrid Systems; $7 Million Cost-Shared Project to Double Engine Fuel Economy

6/13/2003

From: Jill Vieth, 202-586-4940 Tom Welch, 202-586-5806 both of Department of Energy

WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham today announced the award of a contract to Eaton Corp. to develop hybrid propulsion systems for trucks and other heavy duty vehicles. The contract provides matching funds for a research and development program aimed at doubling the fuel efficiency of today's conventional truck engines, while at the same time increasing reliability and durability of components and meeting new, lowered federal emissions standards for 2007. The department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory will fund about $3.1 million of the $7.1 million three-year subcontract, with Eaton Corp. providing the balance of the funds.

"Hybrid technology has already demonstrated it can dramatically increase the fuel economy of cars," Secretary Abraham said. "Our goal through this important project is to achieve the same economic and environmental benefits for heavy commercial vehicles. In the process we also make our nation more secure by reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil."

Eaton's Truck Components Operation, based in Galesburg, Mich., is a pioneer in hybrid systems for heavy vehicles. Eaton is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2002 sales of $7.2 billion and a leader in fluid power systems; electrical power quality, distribution and control; automotive engine air management and fuel economy; and intelligent systems for fuel economy and safety in trucks. Eaton has 51,000 employees and sells products in more than 50 countries.

Most heavy vehicles today have diesel engines. Hybrid propulsion systems generally consist of a smaller internal combustion engine augmented by an electric drive, a power storage system and regenerative braking or other energy recapture systems. Reliability demands are crucial, as heavy vehicles typically can be driven as much as one million miles over a ten-year period.

Heavy vehicles include trucks of various types and uses, buses and numerous off-highway vehicles, including construction, farming and mining equipment. The project is part of the Department of Energy's Office of FreedomCar and Vehicle Technologies. Information on this and other heavy vehicle technology programs can be found at http://www.trucks.doe.gov and http://www.ctts.nrel.gov/heavyhybrids/.