ZF and Continental are set to co-operate on the development of a commercial vehicle hybrid drive, with the resulting system set for production in 2011. The parallel hybrid will incorporate lithium-ion battery technology and is expected to be used in light trucks operating in multi-drop distribution.
Designed to be fitted to existing combustion engines, the electric motor will provide 60kW and be the primary source of power when the vehicle is setting off or operating at low speeds. The system can be designed in both mild and full hybrid form, integrating start-stop technology, regenerative braking and electric starting to produce a fuel saving of up to 30%.
Rolf Lutz, group executive of ZF's commercial vehicle special driveline technology division, says: "The parallel hybrid concept can be implemented in a particularly profitable manner thanks to the utilisation of existing vehicle resources in the driveline."