North America’s First hybrid-electric urban delivery truck with electric refrigeration unit unveiled PDF Print E-mail

Group photo with Barry Penner at R and B launch eventR&B Trucking fights tough economy with cleaner fuel-saving truck

VICTORIA, BC (January 27, 2009) – Thanks to support from the provincial government (Ministry of Environment) and the Fraser Basin Council’s Green Fleets BC program, Victoria-based R&B Trucking (a delivery agent for Clark Freightways), is meeting the tough economic times head on with a new diesel-electric hybrid refrigerated delivery truck that’s expected to save the company as much as 35 per cent in fuels costs and reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 20 tonnes per year.

It’s all part of the Fraser Basin Council’s Green Fleets BC program, which provides support to trucking companies to help them move towards environmentally friendly practices and technologies. In return for sharing their experiences with others in the industry, participating companies save money, improve worker health and decrease smog and GHG emissions.


The BC Government is supporting Green Fleets BC, a key component of the Provincial Government’s Air Action Plan, with $330,000 for the Fraser Basin Council’s hybrid truck incentive programs. The program covers the difference between a hybrid truck and a conventional truck, for up to $20,000 per vehicle.

R&B’s Class 7 2009 Freightliner M2e® 106 hybrid truck (33,000 GVW) is the first of its kind in North America. Among its many features is a fuel-efficient diesel electric hybrid engine that is about the same size as one in a pickup truck. It also has an electric refrigeration unit powered by the hybrid system eliminating the need for a second diesel engine.  The truck converts energy lost during braking into electricity that is then re-routed back to power the refrigeration unit. This Freightliner truck, featuring a 2007 engine, significantly reduces NOx and carbon emissions. In combination with the electric refrigeration system, it is the cleanest refrigerated urban delivery vehicle currently in operation.

“We’re proud to take a leadership role in this area,” said R&B Trucking owner Paul Cunnington. “With the long-term cost of diesel rising, we’re looking forward to seeing a big drop in our fuel bill. We’re also excited to be doing our part for the environment.”

In return for assistance in purchasing the truck, R&B Trucking will collect and share operational data and driver feedback with other Green Fleets BC participants. This information will assist other fleet operators across BC to determine which green technologies can best help them trim operating costs.
 

“We congratulate R&B Trucking for being the first urban delivery fleet to bring this combination of technologies to North America,” said David Marshall Executive Director for the Fraser Basin Council. The data we generate with R&B will show urban delivery companies that there are financial benefits to going green.”

Environment Minister Barry Penner said the project is a great example of how government and the private sector can work together to encourage the adoption of energy-saving technologies and reduce air pollution.

“A few years ago, hybrid taxi cabs were the exception rather than the norm,” said Penner. “Today, it’s the other way around, in part because of the $2,000 incentive provided by the BC Government. With help from the Fraser Basin Council, and with leadership from companies like R&B Trucking, we hope to see similar success in the urban trucking industry.”

For more information on Fraser Basin Council’s GreenFleets program, visit www.greenfleets.bc. For more information on the Council, visit www.fraserbasin.bc.ca
 
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