Saving money and the Earth has gotten particularly interesting. Volvo Trucks is launching two hybrid refuse trucks that claim to be "The World's Cleanest Refuse Truck." "Fuel-efficient, quiet and clean Volvo’s hybrid solution combines a diesel engine with an electric motor, with the electric motor being used for moving off from standstill and for acceleration up to 20 km/h (12 mph). At higher speeds, the diesel engine is activated, but when the truck stops the diesel engine automatically switches off, thus avoiding unnecessary idling."

“This test phase is the last stage in the evaluation of our hybrid solution ahead of production launch,” reveals Staffan Jufors, president and CEO of the Volvo Truck Corporation. “Since we presented our first concept vehicle in 2006, we have seen considerably heightened market interest in this technology. What makes our solution unique is that it is sufficiently powerful to drive heavy vehicles and more cost-effective than all other current alternatives. It is these characteristics that determine whether a hybrid can be commercially viable. We will start producing hybrid trucks in 2009.”


The batteries are recharged using the power that is generated during braking, making this system highly suitable for operating cycles involving repeated stops and starts, such as refuse collection duties.

[SOURCE: www.motorcities.com READ THE FULL ARTICLE]