Kenworth Truck Company will display a medium-duty diesel-electric hybrid utility truck and participate in a drive-through demonstration at the 55th annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC) in Williamsburg, Va., June 15 to 18.

Fleet managers will review the Kenworth T370 hybrid utility truck during the conference's drive-through demonstration from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, in the visitor center parking lot, adjacent to the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel Conference Center. The Kenworth hybrid will be displayed from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the visitor center parking lot. Kenworth also will conduct a Kenworth hybrids presentation starting at 1:30 p.m. at the company's booth.

Kenworth goals for the medium-duty hybrids are to enhance fuel economy by up to 50 percent in utility operations, and by up to 30 percent in pickup and delivery applications. The Kenworth hybrid utility truck is equipped with a utility bucket atop a boom. While a non-hybrid utility truck must idle to operate its lift, the hybrid's lift typically operates on electric power, which saves fuel and reduces emissions.

Above 30 mph, the Kenworth hybrid operates like a standard diesel vehicle with all power coming from the engine during steady driving conditions. Below 30 mph, it uses a combination of diesel and electricity with the system automatically switching between the two modes of operation. Electricity generated through regenerative braking is stored and used for acceleration, assisting the diesel engine.

Kenworth's hybrids go into full production this summer. Purchasers of Kenworth hybrids, equipped with a PACCAR PX-6 engine and the Eaton hybrid system, may qualify for a maximum federal tax credit of $6,000 (Class 6) and $12,000 (Class 7).

Wed Jun 11 10:20:00 CDT 2008