EPA shows off hydraulic hybrid
60 to 70 percent more fuel efficient?Yesterday, the EPA demonstrated its UPS hydraulic hybrid delivery vehicle.
"The unique UPS delivery vehicle features EPA-patented hydraulic hybrid technology. The vehicle uses hydraulic pumps and hydraulic storage tanks to store energy, similar to what is done with electric motors and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles. Fuel economy is increased in three ways: vehicle braking energy is recovered that normally is wasted; the engine is operated more efficiently; and the engine can be shut off when stopped or decelerating."
According to the EPA, if such hydraulic hybrids were built in high-volume, the extra costs of the hydraulic technology could be recovered in 3 years. However, over the lifetime of the vehicle, the hydraulic technology could save as much as $50,000.
So build 'em then. Or is this vehicle about as realistic as the EPA's Fuel Economy estimates?
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, hydraulic hybrids, ups
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:41 AM
3 Comments:
Hi,
Interesting post. Do you have more information on how the hydraulic storage tanks are supposed to work? Hydraulic fluids (or any fluids) don't compress much, so how do they store the energy?
One way this might be done is to store the surplus energy by hydraulically lifting up the vehicle. This energy could then later be released by lowering it hydraulically. Does it use a similar principle? Do you have any data about the cost of the upgrade?
Hey Peter,
If you click on the word 'demonstrated' in the original post, it will take you to a page with more information regarding the questions you ask.
Take care.
Your post looks interesting and informative.
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