The special Kenworth T680 vehicle is part of the
Hybrid Emission Cargo Transport (HECT) demonstration project. The HECT project
is funded in part by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(EERE), the U.S. Department of Energy and the South Coast Air Quality
Management District.
The T680 HECT truck uses the Cummins Westport ISL G
Near Zero (NZ) emission engine fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), in
combination with a generator to extend the truck’s battery range. The truck has
a 30-mile zero emissions range using the electricity stored in the lithium-ion
batteries. When the batteries are depleted, the near-zero emission engine turns
on to generate more energy and extend the truck’s range up to 250 miles.
Kenworth’s partner in developing the truck’s
parallel hybrid electric propulsion system is BAE Systems. The system’s energy
management and control capabilities ensure that energy generated by the engine
and regenerative braking system is appropriately distributed through the
dual-rotor electric motor, resulting in lower fuel consumption.
