ArvinMeritor Inc. and Wal-Mart Transportation reached an agreement for the development of a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor. The new vehicle will be based on the existing International Class 8 ProStar tractor and powered by an engine from Cummins Inc.
“We’ve been working on development of hybrid drivetrains for some time,” said Carsten J. Reinhardt, president of ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Systems business. “This Class 8 project is a major step in our continuing work in alternative drivetrain development- both for power transmission and emissions- and holds tremendous promise for the worldwide heavy-duty trucking market in a number of important environmental and economic ways.”
The tandem axle, regenerative braking system, air disc brakes and advanced ABS with integrated stability control and driver assistance systems, software, electronic controls, transfer case and motor will all be provided by ArvinMeritor, as well as batter power from a third party.
The dual-mode diesel-electric engines have mechanical and electrical propulsion systems and use the electric motor for high demand under low-speed, high-load conditions, like accelerating from a stop. When the vehicle is in motion, the mechanical propulsion mixes with the electrical until it reaches highway speeds. At that point, it switches entirely to mechanical.
