Volvo has announced that Swedish refuse collection firms Renova and Ragn-Sells will begin regular daily testing of two of the company’s hybrid refuse trucks ahead of a market launch in 2009. Using a 7 liter diesel engine and an electric motor that utilizes regenerative braking, the trucks are capable of delivery fuel (and therefore emissions) savings of 20 percent. The trucks utilize their electric motor for acceleration from 0 – 20 km/h with the diesel engine automatically switching off when the vehicle is at rest, saving energy and reducing noise. The further energy saved by regenerative braking is coupled in one of the vehicles with an extra battery pack that drives the refuse compactor. This additional system is charged via the mains electrical system when the truck is parked overnight and has the potential to deliver increase carbon dioxide emissions reduction to as much as 30 percent according to Volvo. [Volvo]
