Wal-Mart Tests New Hybrid Trucks, Alternative Fuels

Sunday, February 8th, 2009

Wal-Mart is testing two new hybrid trucks and two new alternative-fuel trucks:

A full-propulsion Arvin Meritor hybrid that will initially operate in the Detroit area. This dual-mode diesel-electric hybrid is believed to be the first vehicle of its type;

Fifteen trucks operating in Buckeye, Ariz. distribution center near Phoenix, will be converted to run on Reclaimed Grease FuelTM, made with the waste brown cooking grease from Walmart stores. In addition, the remaining trucks located in the Buckeye distribution center will operate on an 80/20 blend of biodiesel made of reclaimed yellow waste grease;

Five Peterbilt Model 386 heavy duty hybrid trucks with diesel-electric hybrid power systems developed by Eaton Corporation and PACCAR, that will be based in Dallas, Houston, Apple Valley, Calif., Atlanta and the Washington/Baltimore regions and;

Four Peterbilt Model 386 trucks and one yard truck, which operates only on the distribution center property, will operate on liquid natural gas. These trucks are part of a partnership with the Mojave Air Quality Management District and will operate out of the distribution center in Southern California.

I’m not sure how they’re measuring it, but they plan on doubling fleet efficiency by 2015; they’ve already improved it 25 percent from their 2005 baseline.

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Isegoria

Wal-Mart Tests New Hybrid Trucks, Alternative Fuels

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