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Volvo has begun field trials of a new parallel hybrid truck. The Swedish manufacturer appears to have made a major leap in battery technology and plans volume production of this dual-fuel chassis in around two years' time. The culmination of 20 years of research and development, the 26-tonne FE-series rigid is fitted with diesel and electric power sources and carries a waste-collection body. Volvo claims this development to be an "environmental and carbon-neutral transport", which aside from emissions  reduction, also cuts noise pollution. Intended primarily for urban collection and distribution duties, the FE hybrid also has the potential to run on biofuel.

The truck scores over previous prototypes in eliminating the payload penalty incurred by onboard batteries by using a lighter, lithium-ion type. The driveline comprises a 320hp, Euro 5 diesel engine, automated clutch, I-Shift gearshift, integrated starter alternator motor (I-SAM), energy converter, lithium-ion batteries and a powertrain management unit (PMU). Volvo says this technology is more reliable than natural gas/diesel dual-fuel vehicles and cites potential fuel savings of 15% to 20% for distribution work and 15% to 30% for refuse collection. Electric power is used for starting the vehicle, accelerating to 20km/h, start/stop work, short periods of idling and loading. During electrical operation, the diesel unit stops completely.

Electric power has extremely good torque characteristics, enabling a smaller  and lighter diesel engine than customary at this GVW to be specified. Diesel propulsion better suits higher speeds - for example, main road running. All refuse bodies have too many moving parts to be very light, but the Norba 'plug-in' system's 1.2-tonne weight combined with an unladen body weight of five tonnes permits a respectable 11.5-tonne payload on a 26-tonne GVW hybrid vehicle. The system is designed for stand-alone operation and operated by an electric engine powered by batteries charged from cheap off-peak power supplies. Norba - part of the Oshkosh group - claims the stand-alone system gives zero CO2 emissions and a 20% fuel saving when used with a conventional chassis, and potentially more with a parallel hybrid. The operation is also very quiet, ideal for residential areas.

Renova, a large Swedish recycling and waste collection company owned by 11 municipalities, operates Volvo's field trial truck. Because refuse trucks are stationary 60% to 70% of the time, parallel hybrid technology is ideal, as bins can be hoisted and rubbish compacted using just electric power. Renova charges the body batteries with 'green' electricity, and says dual diesel/electric operation reduces overall emissions by up to 30%. "Hybrid technology will play a major role in the future as the climate and fuel dependency come into ever-sharper focus," says Mats Franzen, engine manager at Volvo Truck. "No matter which fuels dominate in the future, their supply will be limited... In long-haul operations, the percentage (fuel) reduction will not be as great, but the total fuel saving will be considerable."

A representative of Coca-Cola UK's transport operation was at the recent hybrid launch in Gothenburg. Darren O'Donnell, logistics asset manager, says: "At Coca-Cola Enterprises, corporate responsibility and sustainability is a key priority. In the US, we are already on track to have the largest hybrid truck fleet with 120 hybrid vehicles operational by the end of the year. We remain interested in new opportunities in this field across our business." Volvo reckons it is "too early to say" on pricing.