New Duke study unveiled at Hybrid Day finds fuel-saving hybrid trucks are a strategic opportunity for America

The following news was issued this morning by CALSTART.  Eaton's technology was in 8 of the 17 hybrid vehicles featured during the Hybrids on the Hill event in Washington, D.C.

Washington, DC  – A high-tech truck convoy arrives on Capitol Hill today, showcasing the emergence of fuel-saving hybrid technology for the nation’s biggest vehicles and unveiling a new study from Duke University that finds hybrids provide the U.S. a strategic opportunity in competitiveness, green jobs and reduced pollution.

But the first Hybrid Day On the Hill, organized by clean transportation group CALSTART and its Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF), also warns that hybrid trucks need help to succeed and retain the technology lead American firms now have.

Hybrid Day on the Hill features 17 medium- and heavy-duty hybrids from five major truck makers and six driveline suppliers, showcasing the world’s most advanced trucks.  During a morning briefing industry experts – from environmental, military and commercial fleet backgrounds - outline the status and benefits of hybrid technology, and provide highlights from a new study that identifies the early growth of an American technology edge.

“Continued growth in this industry can spell a strategic win for the U.S. economy and the environment,” notes Marcy Lowe, research associate at Duke’s Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness, which conducted the study, Hybrid Drivetrains for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks. “The United States is proving a global leader in this sector, and with the right policies in place, U.S. firms could expand market penetration, add jobs, and increase environmental benefits.”

The report indicates that more than 30 states are home to truck and component manufacturing and development in the clean truck sector, and that the growth of the industry offers solid economic opportunities for the whole nation.  Duke’s study was commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund and CALSTART’s Hybrid Truck Users Forum Incentives Working Group. 

“Even in the midst of the economic downturn, American truck and system makers are poised for a break-through in producing hybrid technology, leading to reduced fuel use and emissions and creating ‘green tech’ jobs,” says Bill Van Amburg, CALSTART senior vice
president.  “But to succeed, the industry needs support to help fleets purchase efficient trucks and a long term program to grow the technology.”

Other highlights of the briefing, which takes place at 11:00 am at the Capitol’s reflecting pool, will include members of Congress whose districts serve as home to the manufacturers and supply chains for the hybrid truck industry.

Speakers include:

• Marcy Lowe, Research Associate, Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness
• Victoria Mills, Managing Director, Corporate Partnerships Program, Environmental Defense Fund
• John Formisano, Vice President, Global Vehicles, FedEx Express

Hybrid Day on the Hill is located at the Capitol Reflecting Pool at the base of Capitol Hill along 3rd Street, between Jefferson and Madison.  Vehicles will be available to experience and ride in throughout the day from 10 am to 4 pm.  The industry briefing takes place from 11 am to Noon on the lawn next to the reflecting pool.

The event is hosted by CALSTART and these HTUF Incentive Working Group companies: ArvinMeritor, Azure Dynamics, Bosch Rexroth, Daimler Trucks, Eaton, Kenworth, Mack, Navistar, Odyne/Dueco, and Peterbilt.

CALSTART is a member-supported, non-profit organization of more than 140 firms, fleets and agencies worldwide dedicated to supporting a growing high-tech, clean transportation industry that cleans the air, creates jobs, cuts imported oil and reduces global warming emissions.  HTUF is one of CALSTART’s national programs.  Visit www.calstart.org .

Download a copy of the Duke report in pdf format at: http://www.cggc.duke.edu/environment/climatesolutions/greeneconomy_Ch9_HybridDrivetrainsforTrucks.pdf