Posted on 03/07/2009 8:13:57 AM PST by llevrok
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Kenworth truck reports its largest order for hybrid trucks. Kirkland-based Kenworth is a unit of Paccar.
According to a company news release, Coca-Cola has ordered150 Kenworth T370 diesel-electric tractors and 35 Kenworth T370 hybrid trucks, all of which will be on the road this year. The Kenworth T370 tractors (rated at 55,000 lb. GCW) are the largest hybrid delivery truck on the road in North America.
Kenworth says Coca-Cola plans to use the hybrid tractors in Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, San Francisco, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver, B.C. and Washington, D.C. The hybrid trucks will be deployed in Seattle4, Albuquerque, boston, Cincinnati, Columbus (Ohio), Jacksonville (Fla.), Knoxville, Las Vegas, Missoula and New Orleans.
Coca-Cola Enterprises’ commitment to deploy fuel-saving Kenworth hybrid tractors and trucks into the North American market is an outstanding demonstration of corporate responsibility and sustainability,” said Bill Kozek, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president in the news release. “We are very pleased to partner with Coca-Cola Enterprises to save fuel and reduce emissions,” added Kozek.
Kenworth officials didn’t disclose the value of the order but the fuel-efficient trucks are reported to cost around $100,000 each.
I’d be willing to bet you that Coca Cola has some kind of deal with the Obama adminstration to make this choice more palatable.......
It's good news!
Doesn’t have to be. Diesel-electric is the most efficient choice for hauling stuff long distances - just check out how locomotives are powered these days.
Is there one in your future?
Yes, I’ve known about locomotives and the diesel/electric method for a while.....it just seems to me that all of this ‘hybrid’ hype is a little bit too convenient given our new ‘change to oblivion’ administration........I wouldn’t really call a diesel/electric mode a ‘hybrid’ mainly because of the lack of a stackload of batteries in the mix....
Does Kenworth build its own power train?
It’s only been *very* recently that they’ve gotten decent gensets down to the size that they’ll fit in a T370. I think the “hybrids” are actually gasoline powered, though, as opposed to the other half of the order which is diesel-electrics.
No, apparently the T370 hybrids use the Paccar PX-6 engine.
Oh, yeah - the PX-6 is built by Cummins. It’s actually the Cummins 5.9L I6 with a Paccar nametag on it.
I just checked - no, it’s just the writer that made a false distinction - all those trucka will have the Paccar PX-6 diesel engine.
Oh yeah! Green Technology = Higher retail prices.p>
Coca-Cola Enterprises’ is also building a huge plant in China wonder if they will send any trucks to China?
I went to school with Mark Pigot (sp), the heir/CEO of Kenworth Peterbuilt. He was a hard partier.
Looked around KW’s website and couldn’t see where it showed how the truck brakes were going to work. I wonder if the air compressor would be powered by electricity? Sure hope so, otherwise you get one shot at it and that’s it.
Don’t know that I’d want to be stopped at a light, facing uphill, with 60hp to get me going.
For long-haul, low-braking routes, the batteries and motor will not be active and just add extra weight and cost.
A main turbine engine combined with a small auxiliary piston engine for idling would be ideal for long-haul highway routes. Much better efficiency, reliability, power and ease of driving. The only problem is finding someone to service a turbine if you get stranded.
WA Ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.