Americans Want Hybrids As Long As They Don't Cost Nuthin'

Andrew Stoy — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EDT

It turns out that a majority of Americans surveyed in a recent J.D. Power & Associates study are very enthusiastic about hybrid technology...until they find out that they have to pay for it. Continuing a long history of having cake and eating it too, 72% of consumers said they were interested in hybrid technology independent of cost. When a $5,000 cost was included in the equation, the number of respondents who were interested dropped to 46%. When consumers discovered that hybrids weren't available at Wal-Mart, interest plummeted into the single digits.

Not surprisingly, technologies not readily available in the U.S. didn't fare well on the study. For example, clean diesel engines barely registered a blip, in large part because they're just entering the market. Said Mike Marshall, director of the study: "The mere fact that they'll be in the marketplace is going to raise the awareness level of clean diesel, and I think that will begin to crack some of these wrong perceptions of what diesel is today."

While clean diesel is already chosen by a majority of European buyers, it remains to be seen whether economies of scale allow it to be implemented in the States at a lower price premium than that found on hybrids; new offerings from VW, Mercedes, and even Honda in the next 12 months should provide some insight into diesel pricing strategy. Additionally, as hybrid sales numbers rise, the same economies of scale should allow prices to fall. But, for either to happen, first some folks have to pony up the premium. Chicken, meet egg.
[Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

Volvo Hybrid Garbage Truck Proves Hybrids Can't Clean Everything

Mark Arnold — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:20:00 EDT

What's the best thing about garbage trucks? They're loud. At least that's what you think when you're seven. But once you grow into your big-boy pants, that monstrosity slowly lumbering down your street, waking you up at 5AM every Tuesday, gets to be just a tad annoying after a while. Well, now Volvo has a solution, a hybrid garbage truck. They claim it can operate almost silently, and feel so confident about it they've provided a video of it in action. Currently the trucks are just being tested in select parts of Sweden, but we certainly wouldn't mind seeing these, and not hearing them, in our neighborhood. Press release after the jump.

The future of refuse handling is already here
Due to its productive personality, the Volvo FE has been recognized as a cost effective truck for city distribution and refuse handling. In 2009, the Volvo FE will be offered with a hybrid solution adding two main benefits: increased fuel efficiency and decreased emissions.

From a driver's perspective, the hybrid is also more pleasant to operate with excellent drivability characteristics and reduced noise levels.

A perfect fit for "stop and go" applications
Like the Volvo FM Hybrid, the Volvo FE Hybrid is equipped with a diesel engine and an electric motor. The latter powers the truck from startup and up to 20 km/h. At higher speeds, the diesel engine kicks in.

When the vehicles stops, the diesel engine automatically shuts down to avoid unnecessary idling.

Since braking energy is used to charge the lithium-ion batteries powering the electric motor, the greatest fuel saving potential is in applications with a lot of "stop and go" driving:
— up to 20% for refuse handling (up to 30% if the superstructure also rely on the electric motor)
— between 15-20% for city distribution

Low on emissions and close to noiseless
Any savings in fuel means equal savings in CO2 emissions, meaning that the Volvo FE Hybrid will contribute some 15 - 30% less to global warming.

The emissions of NOx and particulates are at zero level when the truck is operated in electric drive - and it is a very silent truck when accelerating and idling. These are both strong benefits when operating in sensitive urban areas.

Field test with customers
During 2008 and 2009, two Volvo FE Hybrids will run in daily refuse collection operations with the help of two Swedish companies.

The field test trucks are both prototype vehicles of the Volvo FE Hybrid that will be the commercial offer in 2009.

Volvo FE Hybrid Concept - Technical data
— Volvo FE with I-SAM (Integrated Starter Alternator Motor)
— Power 120 kW
— 7-litre diesel engine
— Volvo I-Shift gearbox

[Source: Volvo Trucks]

Jalopnik: hybrid trucks

Americans Want Hybrids As Long As They Don't Cost Nuthin'

Volvo Hybrid Garbage Truck Proves Hybrids Can't Clean Everything