http://ens.lycos.com/ens/may2001/2001L-05-21-09.html
DaimlerChrysler, U.S. Army To Adapt Hybrid Electric Truck AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, May 21, 2001 (ENS) - DaimlerChrysler Corporation and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive & Armaments Command - National Automotive Center (NAC) will develop a military version of the automaker's Dodge Ram HEV hybrid electric pickup truck. Under the agreement, DaimlerChrysler will design, build and test the military version of the Ram HEV. The vehicle will be designed to meet requirements of the Army's Commercially Based Tactical Truck (COMBATT) program. "This is a wonderful partnering opportunity for the Army to share in technology development with DaimlerChrysler. This effort is a part of the Army's 21st Century Truck Initiative that has goals of building more fuel efficient, smarter and safer trucks for our future force," said NAC director Dennis Wend. The vehicle developed for the Army will be based on the 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup equipped with a diesel electric hybrid powertrain. The vehicle can be operated in either diesel electric hybrid or electric only mode. The hybrid powertrain results in fuel efficiency improvements of up to 20 percent as well as reduced tailpipe emissions. When parked, the vehicle's hybrid propulsion components can be converted into a stationary electrical generator capable of delivering up to 30 kilowatts (kW) peak power or 20 kW of continuous power. "The Dodge Ram HEV's clean hybrid technology is an ideal way to meet the off site electrical generating capacity needs of construction contractors, farmers, campers and even homeowners," said Bernard Robertson, senior vice president for engineering technologies and regulatory affairs, and general manager for truck operations at DaimlerChrysler. "Now we have the opportunity to adapt this environmentally friendly technology to our national defense needs." DaimlerChrysler has already announced plans to sell a commercial version of the Dodge Ram HEV beginning in 2004. The vehicle will be available in 1500 and 2500 models equipped with different diesel and gasoline engines. "The special capabilities of the Dodge Ram HEV should increase consumers' interest in the hybrid version of our Ram pickup and thus help us build the market for this clean, fuel efficient technology," said Robertson. "This new military application will take us another step further in capitalizing on the capabilities of hybrid technology.'' Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Please do NOT send "unsubscribe" messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
