National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Advanced Heavy Hybrid Propulsion Systems

About the Project

NREL researchers work with DOE's Vehicle Technologies Program, 21st Century Truck Partnership, and industry to develop advanced next-generation heavy vehicle hybrid propulsion components and systems that significantly improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The project goal is to commercialize heavy hybrid propulsion vehicles before the end of this decade. The project will meet its goals through "industry-teaming" to take advantage of the best complementary technologies and skills from various companies and organizations.

The Advanced Heavy Hybrid Propulsion System Project is divided into two phases:

Phase I is a technology development program to design, develop, characterize, and show the feasibility of energy- and fuel-saving heavy vehicle hybrid propulsion technologies.

Phase II is a technology validation program intended to validate Phase I technologies in a Class 3-8 heavy vehicles.

An initial technical benchmark objective for the hybrid powertrain technology is to develop cost-effective, advanced next-generation heavy hybrid components and systems, which at the vehicle level could provide, contribute to, or enable a powertrain efficiency increase as high as 100% relative to today's conventional powertrain technology, and meet year 2007-2010 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards (see table). Consult DieselNet Emission Standards for a more thorough discussion of the 2007-2010 EPA emissions and fuel standards.

Environmental Protection Agency 2007-2010 Engine Emissions and Fuel Standards

	NOx Requirement	Particulate Matter Requirement	Non-Methane Hydrocarbon Requirement	Diesel Fuel Sulfur Requirement
Requirement Level	0.2 g/bhp-h	0.01 g/bhp-h	0.14 g/bhp-h	15 ppm
Year of Effect	2007-2010 Phased In	2007-2010	2007-2010 Phased In	June 2006

One issue to be addressed in this project is the extended reliability and durability requirements of heavy-duty vehicles compared to light-duty vehicles. Maintaining or increasing vehicle and component reliability and durability through this technology development effort are major NREL/DOE objectives. Heavy vehicles typically have reliability and durability requirements for 10 years of operation and 500,000-1,000,000 miles. The advanced next-generation technologies sought in this effort will seek to satisfy these objectives and provide a clear advance in technology to reduce energy and fuel consumption.

Program Timeline

Phase I requests for proposals (RFPs) were issued in April 2002, and due on June 17, 2002. Letter subcontracts were awarded at the end of September 2002.

Approximate Phase I Program Schedule:

Implementation Plan Development	30 days
Implementation Plan Briefing	31 days
Concept Refinement and Requirements Definition	6 months
Preliminary Technology Design Review	18 months
Technology Development and Feasibility/Benefit Evaluation	29 months
Commercialization Assessment and Plan Development	32 months
Phase I Reporting and Briefing	36 months

Preliminary Technology Design Review Schedule:

Eaton Truck Corporation and team	November 2003
Oshkosh Truck Corporation and team	August 2004
General Motors-Allison Transmission and team	December 2004
Caterpillar Inc. and team	May 2005