Odyne and Altec approve non-exclusive global supply agreement for plug-in parallel hybrid work truck systems

Odyne Systems, LLC, and Altec, Inc., have agreed to market and promote the sale of Odyne’s plug-in hybrid products to Altec customers and potential customers.

Odyne Systems develops and manufactures turnkey hybrid solutions optimized for fleets that utilize vehicles with driving cycles that have a high percentage of starting and stopping, and extended periods of job site idle time. Odyne’s modular system can be installed on a wide variety of new and existing vehicles to reduce fuel consumption by up to 50%, depending on application, lowering emissions and providing quiet work site operation.

The new distribution agreement with Altec further broadens the reach of Odyne Systems’ hybrid solution, while extending Altec’s offering of green products.

Odyne’s plug-in hybrid truck systems increase fuel efficiency while driving by using an electric motor in parallel with the existing drivetrain, providing launch assist and regenerative braking. Once at the job site, vehicles can function without using engine power. Instead, workers use the hybrid plug-in battery system to power work site applications, including equipment mounted to the truck.

Fleet managers often have preferences for a certain type of chassis, fuel type or vehicle application configuration. The Odyne system can be applied to a wide range of vehicle configurations without any changes to an OEM engine or transmission. The system also does not affect the original EPA certification of the engine. Odyne plug-in hybrid systems can be used on many work truck platforms, including bucket trucks, digger derricks and air compressor truck applications.

Odyne Offers $100,000 Plug-In Hybrid Conversion For F-750 Trucks

There is a lot of “low hanging fruit” when it comes to reducing our dependence on oil. For one, we could demand improvements in the efficiency of the most fuel-intensive heavy vehicles like the Ford F-750. Now a third-party supplier named Odyne is offering a plug-in hybrid conversion with a big price tag that could come along with big savings.

Odyne revealed its new plug-in hybrid system for F-750 cab chassis’s at the 2012 Work Truck Show, and it can cost up to $100,000 depending on options. A 14.2 kWh battery pack is standard, though it can be doubled-up, adding up to 1,650 pounds to the chassis. But the plug-in hybrid system could also save up to 1,750 gallons of diesel fuel per year. With the current average price of diesel fuel sitting around $4.09, that 1,750 gallons of diesel fuel, that’s a savings of over $7,150 per-year.

At that rate, it would take about 15 years to pay off the $100,000 28 kWh battery pack system. In addition to saving fuel, the battery pack system can also be used as a 120 or 240-volt outlet system for use at the work site. Sounds like a lot of money, but consider that these trucks can usually last for 20 years or longer (don’t believe me? Check out craigslist), and that explains why Odyne have already been delivered 15 of these plug-in hybrid F-750 trucks.

Big moves in the world of big rigs, and this low-hanging fruit could result in huge cost and oil savings. With talk of CNG being the fuel of future heavy duty vehicles, it’s only a matter of time before these alt-fuels cross paths.

Source: Gas2.0

Johnson Controls invests in Odyne; JCS to be preferred supplier for Li-ion for Odyne PHEV systems

Odyne Systems, LLC, a provider of hybrid systems for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) have completed both an investment agreement and a long-term hybrid master supply agreement. Under the new agreements, Johnson Controls has made a strategic investment in Odyne to fund expansion and to accelerate wide-scale commercialization of Odyne’s hybrid systems for work trucks. Additionally, Odyne designates Johnson Controls-Saft as a Preferred Supplier of advanced lithium-ion battery systems for its plug-in hybrid system.

The Odyne plug-in hybrid system significantly increases a large truck’s efficiency through operation of the hybrid system on the road and use of the large battery system at the job site. Odyne’s modular system can be installed on a wide variety of new and existing vehicles to reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions and operate quietly at the job site.

This is the first phase of a multi-stage investment on the part of JCI and is in line with a broader investment and growth strategy at Odyne. Johnson Controls shares our passion for innovation and delivery of reliable, advanced hybrid system solutions, and we look forward to the new partnership.

—Joe Dalum, President and CEO of Odyne Systems

Source: Green Car Congress

Odyne Systems introduces new plug-in hybrid system for medium- and heavy-duty work trucks

Odyne’s plug-in hybrid system. Click to enlarge.

Waukesha based Odyne Systems, LLC, a manufacturer of hybrid systems for medium- and heavy-duty work trucks, introduced its new advanced hybrid propulsion system at the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC) in Williamsburg. The new parallel plug-in hybrid system features a Remy HVH250 electric motor—80 hp continuous, 110 hp peak—and a choice of 14 kWh or 28 kWh lithium-ion battery packs.

Odyne was formed in 2001 for the sole purpose of developing and producing electric and hybrid electric propulsion systems for Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 vehicles. In January 2009, Odyne’s assets were acquired by the parent company of DUECO, Inc. and Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation (UELC), and relocated to a production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin. (Earlier post.)

Odyne’s system is targeted to medium- and heavy-duty work trucks with extended stationary PTO job site functions. It is also the only plug-in hybrid system to power a gas compressor truck. The Odyne system provides launch assist and regenerative braking. Once stationary at the job site, work trucks are able to operate worksite equipment applications for up to several hours without using engine power, depending upon the application.

Examples of continuous minutes of all-electric operation
Equipment	Power (hp)	14 kWh Time (min)†	29 kWh Time (min)†
Digger Derrick	54	–	39
60' Bucket truck	25	38	85
Articulating Telescopic Crane	14	66	147
40' Bucket Truck	9	106	325
†Time may vary depending on application

The 300V parallel plug-in hybrid system can be applied to most new chassis or applied as a retrofit, and is compatible with most chassis over 14,000-lb GVW. No drive train modifications are required; the OEM chassis components can be serviced through the chassis manufacturer’s service network. The hybrid system propulsion components are placed within chassis frame rails for ease of body installation; battery packs are situated in a variety of locations to suit application. The electric motor can drive both a PTO and hydraulic pump.

This new system delivers improved performance for medium and large work vehicles. Odyne’s unique system helps reduce operating costs through higher efficiency, and depending on duty cycle, enables large trucks to obtain fuel economy improvements of up to 50%, compared to traditional diesel or gasoline engines. Odyne has developed proprietary and patent pending hybrid technology combining reliable electric power conversion, power control with advanced electric propulsion motors and modular lithium ion battery systems.

—Joe Dalum, President and Chief Executive Officer of Odyne Systems

Source: Green Car Congress