Odyne Systems, LLC was awarded a $776,000 grant by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to retrofit medium- and heavy-duty work trucks with Odyne plug-in hybrid systems. EPRI will manage the program, which was funded by the California Energy Commission, and Odyne Systems, LLC will install advanced diesel plug-in hybrid electric truck systems on five trucks in the California market.

The California Energy Commission contributed $776,000 towards the project and participants and other project partners will provide additional cost share funds.

The program will demonstrate the viability of installing Odyne plug-in hybrid systems on existing medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the California market using California-based labor and facilities. An Odyne hybrid system can reduce fuel consumption by up to 50 percent or greater depending on the duty cycle, lower emissions and allow large work trucks to operate quietly at a work site.

The Odyne hybrid system can be installed on both new and existing vehicles. The company estimates that there are more than 8 million vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds in the U.S., and upgrading existing trucks with newer technology will help to accelerate reductions in fuel use and emissions.

"We are excited to be part of the California Energy Commission award to retrofit these vehicles,” said Joe Dalum, president and CEO of Odyne Systems. “We have a passion for innovation and delivery of reliable, advanced hybrid system solutions, and this award will demonstrate the application of our newest technology to existing trucks. Extensive data collection and analysis will document the impact of these installations.”

Odyne Systems, LLC, a leader in hybrid systems for medium and heavy duty trucks, has developed proprietary and patented hybrid technology combining reliable electric power conversion, power control and energy storage technology. The Odyne plug-in hybrid drive system reduces fleet operating and maintenance costs, and depending on duty cycle, enables large trucks to obtain fuel economy improvements of up to 50% compared to traditional diesel or gasoline engines.