In The News

U.S. House gets 1st hybrid truck

The U.S. House of Representatives today, Sept. 23, received its first hybrid electric vehicle – a Peterbilt Model 330 Hybrid Electric Truck.

“It makes sense, both for the environment and for the bottom line, to replace our aging vehicle fleet with low-emissions trucks,” said House Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Beard. “It means that the House will be driving into the future leaner and greener.”

The environmentally focused truck is slated to carry thousands of pounds of furniture and office equipment on the Capitol campus and throughout the greater Washington, D.C. area, according to Beard. The Hybrid Peterbilt Model 330 was selected because it not only provides up to a 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency, but also dramatically reduces tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen.

“Peterbilt is honored to have been chosen by the House of Representatives to supply their first hybrid electric vehicle,” said Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager and Paccar vice president.

Peterbilt’s Hybrid Electric Power System was developed with Eaton and has an electric motor that assists the Paccar PX-6 engine with supplemental torque leading to fuel economy gains. The system stores energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking, and then reuses it for acceleration. The Models 330 and 335 hybrid electric trucks also feature an in-dash 7-inch Paccar Hybrid System Monitor, which provides information regarding fuel economy and battery state of charge, allowing the driver to modify behavior to maximize fuel economy through optimized use of the system.

The Model 330 hybrid utilizes components that provide up to a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy in a stop-and-go urban driving cycle, and can be configured for non-CDL drivers.

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