Medium-Duty Fleets Look for Alternative Drivetrain 'Holy Grail'

Looking for the right alternative-power drivetrain and application can be a frustrating project for fleet managers of medium-duty trucks; however, a presentation on a hybrid and electric technology for trucks offered a peek at the “right” application for a quicker return on investment (ROI).

Odyne Systems, ALTe Technologies, and Navigant Research discussed changes and updates in the area of alternative drivetrains.

Evolution of Alternative Drivetrains
An alternative-power drivetrain involves a variety of power sources in combination with or separate from internal combustion to provide power to a vehicle.

“The good thing about government incentives was that fleet managers tested this technology and discovered that it’s really about the right fit or application for each drivetrain technology,” said Lisa Jerram, senior research analyst at Navigant Research.

Jerram noted that 2008-2012 saw a surge in deployments of hybrid-electric and battery-electric trucks and vans in the U.S.; much of it supported by government funding. “The deployments were medium-duty delivery vans and trucks, service vehicles, utility trucks, and other various applications,” she said. “Some learned that these just weren’t the right fit. Hybrids and electrics still carry a significant price premium and need to be in the right duty cycle and driving conditions to optimize their benefits.”

As the alternative powertrain market matures for compressed natural gas (CNG), for example, it’s still early for the pure electric and plug-in hybrids, medium-duty vehicle market.

“Our customers don’t want any science projects. Customers want payback in seven to eight years,” noted Darren Post, president and CEO for ALTe.

According to Jerram, hybrids need to be in heavy usage applications, but not in high speed, long distance applications because they don’t maximize the hybrid system’s efficiency gains. She noted less costly hybrids, such as XL Hybrid’s van line, that are starting to come to market.

“Utility bucket trucks are another promising application area. We are starting to see plug-in hybrids enter this market now. The reason is that the trucks feature an electric power take off (ePTO) to power hydraulics needed while at a work site,” Jerram explained. “This reduces engine idling and is a major fuel saver. The combined fuel savings from the driving and the idle reduction can provide a payback in just a few years. They also offer a benefit of reduced noise onsite, which is good for the workers and for the neighborhood where they are working.”

Hybrids and electrics will continue to face competition from natural gas and propane autogas. 
“Hybrids and electrics offer fuel reduction, emissions, and noise benefits, but users have to find the right fit with the right technology option,” she noted. Read more here.