Mitsubishi Fuso, part of DaimlerChrysler’s Truck Group, began selling its Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck in Japan. Dubbed as the cleanest light-duty truck in the world, this truck releases 41% less nitrogen oxide and consumes 20% less fuel than conventionally-powered models. It is a hybrid diesel-electric truck that switches its operational mode according to the driving situation.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation issued a press release about the new Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck stating that it:
- includes a small clean-burning diesel engine
- an ultra-slim electric motor/generator
- and advanced lithium-ion batteries in a drive train that also includes a high-efficiency automated mechanical transmission.
"The result is a medium-duty truck that achieves up to 30% better fuel economy in delivery applications and also produces significantly less emissions than its standard diesel-only model." (http://www.mitfuso.com/pages/news-hevconcept.html)
According to Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation the electric motor functions as a generator to brake the vehicle. The generator then converts brake energy into electric energy and stores it in the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery for the next moving off or acceleration.
Conventional trucks use a braking system that will convert the truck’s kinetic energy (its forward motion) into heat energy that is ultimately dissipated into the air via the brake pads and disks.
Until next time – Dan Hagopian, Batteryship.com