EPA Hydraulic Hybrid Yard Hostler Featuring FEV-Developed Technology to be Put Into Service for First Time

Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct. 16, 2009 – FEV, a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, announced today the hydraulic hybrid technology it developed in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other partners will be put into full service at the Port Authority of New York – New Jersey terminal at the conclusion of its development testing. The technology is installed on a yard hostler, a type of vehicle used in moving freight containers in marine ports, rail yards, distribution centers and warehouses. It is the first real-world use of hydraulic hybrid technology in this type of vehicle.

The yard hostler will be on display at the World Maritime Day Parallel Event at Chelsea Piers in New York City, October 16 – 18, 2009, prior to undergoing additional development testing and ultimately being put into active service. The EPA Assistant Administrator is expected to acknowledge the exhibit during opening remarks at the event. Information about the conference is at www.uscg.mil/worldmaritimeday.

The hydraulic hybrid technology is one of the world’s most efficient and cost-effective powertrain technologies, and, in EPA testing, has shown a fuel economy improvement of 50-70 percent, along with a 30-40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the vehicle. The technology is ideally suited for use in yard hostlers and heavy-duty urban vehicles like city transit buses, delivery, and refuse trucks. It is also well suited for use in light-duty trucks and SUVs.

The hydraulic hybrid system stores kinetic energy captured during braking. The high regenerative efficiency is more than twice that of other hybrid technologies, resulting in the significant fuel economy improvements. Hydraulic hybrid technology replaces the conventional transmission, and allows engine operating modes that are independent of vehicle speed. This allows the engine to be used most efficiently, and even turned off during stops, slow speed cruising and during acceleration/deceleration, when stored hydraulic energy can be utilized.

FEV, the sole engineering contractor to the EPA on the hydraulic hybrid system, began with a "clean sheet of paper." FEV designed, analyzed, conducted simulation, and fabricated the hydraulic drive unit. In addition, FEV fabricated other hydraulic systems and integrated them into the Yard Hostler. The project was performed for a partnership of  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, APM Terminals, Parker-Hannifin, Kalmar Industries, R.H. Sheppard, Inc., Webasto, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

(Editor’s Note: Project partners will participate in the event on the 16th, and will be available to answer questions.)

Specific benefits of the hydraulic hybrid system include:
•Fuel efficiency improvement of 50 – 70 percent, saving over 1,000 gallons per vehicle per year.
•Reduced maintenance costs on engine, starter and brakes.
•Reduced CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30 – 40 percent

About FEV

The FEV Group is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry.  FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards.  The FEV Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment.  The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,800 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents.  FEV, Inc. employs approximately 300 personnel at FEV’s North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.