JOHNSON CITY, NY — BAE Systems, a developer and producer of hybrid electric technologies, launched its parallel hybrid green propulsion system for heavy-duty truck applications at the National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

The parallel system, designed for Class 6, 7, and 8 vocational trucks, is the latest version of the company’s HybriDrive green propulsion system. The work truck show is being held at the Indiana Convention Center today through Thursday.

The HybriDrive series propulsion system — currently in service on more than 3,000 transit buses in cities around the world — meets the demands of urban transit duty cycles, which require low average speeds and frequent stop-and-go operation. The HybriDrive parallel system is designed to address the needs of vehicles with duty cycles that require higher operating speeds and less frequent stops. 

“Vocational truck fleets that transition to our heavy-duty HybriDrive system will experience fuel savings not before seen in these truck classes,” said Steve Trichka, vice president of power and energy management for BAE Systems. “Our HybriDrive parallel system is the optimal hybrid electric solution for vehicles that operate in diverse duty cycles beyond standard urban operational modes.”

With more than 200 million miles of revenue service, more than 10 million gallons of diesel fuel saved, and more than 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions prevented, the market-leading HybriDrive series system has proven itself to be one of the most efficient hybrid systems for the transit bus sector and has provided significant environmental benefits.

HybriDrive series and parallel technologies both use simplified and proven components and controls to deliver their capabilities. While the series system does not use a transmission, the HybriDrive parallel system is based on a single electric machine integrated between the engine and the transmission. The system can be installed with minimal impact to the vehicle, and enhances propulsion through an optimized blending of internal combustion engine power and electric power. The system’s energy management and control capabilities ensure all energy flow ― such as propulsion and recuperation ― occurs in a highly efficient fashion, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions.  

The HybriDrive parallel systems’ power and torque ratings range from 95 horsepower (Hp) to 145 Hp and 300 lbs-ft 400 –lbs-ft. The system is designed to support large bore heavy duty power plants ranging from 350 Hp to 600 Hp, with associated torque ratings of 750 lbs-ft to 2,150 lbs.-ft.

Buses equipped with BAE Systems’ HybriDrive series system have transported more than a billion passengers in cities across North America and in the United Kingdom including New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Ottawa, Houston, Seattle, London, and Oxford, U.K., and powers vehicles by the world’s leading bus manufacturers, including Daimler and New Flyer in the United States and Alexander Dennis and Irisbus Iveco in Europe.

The HybriDrive parallel system, in final stages of development, will see it first road trials this spring and is expected to be deployed in markets around the world in 2012.