Peterbilt Motors plans to go into full production of its medium-duty hybrid trucks beginning in the summer of 2008.

The Peterbilt Model 330 Hybrid Electric is a Class-6 truck that can be configured with optional hydraulic brakes for use by operators who do not possess commercial driver’s licenses. In the hybrid version, it can achieve up to a 30 percent improvements in fuel economy in an urban driving cycle. The Model 335 Hybrid Electric is a Class-7 truck that can achieve up to 60% improvement in fuel economy in certain utility service applications.

Both models use the Eaton Hybrid Power System. The trucks are specifically aimed at short-haul applications where stop-and-go driving with intermittent idling is common. To maximize fuel efficiency, many hybrid truck applications shut off the engine when the vehicle is stationary and use electrically powered devices such as cranes, winches, lift gates and others that run off the battery pack.

For more information, go to http://www.peterbilt.com