While hybrid technology isn’t exactly taking the trucking industry by storm, it is making its presence felt. A rapid rise in fuel played a big role in hybrid’s emergence, but a subsequent drop in fuel prices lead to a decrease in the technology’s adoption rate. Guy Rini, Executive VP at US Hybrid, discusses the state of hybrid acceptance in the trucking industry, as well as how he sees its role evolving in the long haul sector.
How can we improve our fuel economy? It’s a question that fleet executives ask themselves every single day. After taking all the usual measures (idle reduction, speed limiters, etc) carriers will start turning over rocks looking for additional ways to improve their fleet’s fuel economy. Victor Meloche, Manager of Technical Sales Support at Detroit Diesel, discusses how carriers can work with their OEMs to spec new trucks specifically to improve fuel economy before their equipment even arrives from the dealer.
With new engine technology hitting the market in 2010, there are a lot of questions in the marketplace. Amanda Phillips, Dir. DTNA Component Marketing and Communications at Detroit Diesel, addresses questions about the testing and certification process. Phillips also discusses how the markets two different technologies, SCR and EGR, differ in how they meet these targets and lists the pros and cons to each approach.
There’s no arguing there’s a push on in the trucking industry to lower the industry’s carbon footprint. A big part of that rests in a carrier’s ability to first measure and then reduce their carbon emissions. Rob Pallante and John Firmino, both of The ROITT Group, discuss the increasing role technology can play in helping fleets in their drive to “Green” their side of the supply chain.
There’s no doubt that the world of long haul trucking is on the precipice of great change. That being said, the shape that change will take is anybody’s guess. Mike Elwood, VP Marketing for Azure Dynamics Corp., thinks he’s seen the future and he see’s hybrid technology not as the end-game, but as a bridge from today’s reliance on fossil fuels to an electric powered tomorrow.
