Alternative Car Fuels Talk

During the recent 2010 SAE World Congress, researchers presented a paper on the optimization of a natural-gas engine for a parallel hybrid powertrain. According to the study, this is possible by using an oversized turbocharger with and active waste gate control and an EGR. The study was made by the University of Strutgard’s Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Automotive Engineering.

Moves to optimize the CNG-fueled spark injection for the parallel hybrid powertrain can be traced back to the year 2006. During the latter part of the year, IVK, FKFS, Robert Bosch, and Opel were already collaborating on a natural gas hybrid vehicle project. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

Continue reading »

Carbonated drink giant, Coca-cola Enterprises (CCE), has recently announced that they are set to added more than double of their present hybrid electric delivery trucks. The company is reported to hold a 142 trucks. With the addition of 185 new hybrids, the CCE is now holds the larget hybrid fleet in the whole of North America.

Adding to the upgrading of their vehicles, CCE also said that they now have a heavier duty hybrid tractor. The said vehicle is aimed at supporting a 55,000 lbs gross vehicle combination weight. The said innovation is a welcome development for the company’s 33,000 lbs gross vehicle weight.

CCE’s newest truck is designed with a hybrid powertrain for heavier loads. The new hybrid tractor is also in line with CCE’s campaign toward less energy consumption. The new truck is said to consume 305%less fuel that that of its old counterparts. CCE officials also said that the truck is said to produce 30% less of their old hybrid truck’s emissions.

The popular beverage company is not entirely new to the hybrid campaign. CCE has, in fact, started their research for hybrid trucks since 2001. The company has partnered with their suppliers in the search for hybrid electric trucks.

Continue reading »