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Oshkosh Truck introduces electric drive technology for heavy trucks

20 October 2000

At the Association of the United States Army’s annual exhibition in Washington, DC, October 16 - 18, Oshkosh Truck Corporation unveiled its new diesel-electric propulsion technology termed as ProPulse™ technology. Oshkosh claims the system, designed specifically for the performance demands of heavy truck applications, can improve fuel economy by up to 40%, significantly reduce emissions, and enhance vehicle reliability.

“Even before we became a founding member of the 21st Century Truck Initiative earlier this year, we were working on providing our customers with an economically viable alternative propulsion system”, said Robert G. Bohn, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Oshkosh Truck. “We wanted our customers, including the US military, to have the opportunity for a propulsion system that improved vehicle performance, reduced dependency on petroleum-based fuels, and kept our air cleaner. ProPulse is the type of technology that will revolutionize the way heavy trucks perform. And this will have a major influence on the transportation industry”.

Oshkosh plans to integrate this new truck propulsion technology into specialty trucks for defense and commercial customers. Oshkosh is responsible for all phases of ProPulse technology development, from design and testing to integration and production. The company intends to make ProPulse technology available in its line of aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicles within two years. Oshkosh has been working on hybrid electric-drive technology for several years, in cooperation with Rockwell Automation and other industrial partners.

The ProPulse system design uses a modular series-hybrid arrangement to simplify the transmission of power to the wheels. The diesel engine powers a large electric generator, which provides direct power to the wheels, eliminating the torque converter, automatic transmission, transfer case, and drive shafts. Each differential is driven independently by a dedicated motor, controlled from its own power converter.

According to Oshkosh, ProPulse technology can increase fuel economy by up to 40% over conventional power trains. The diesel engine is optimized for operation at a constant speed between 1500 and 1800 rpm. This eliminates the inefficiency associated with changing rpm levels during acceleration and deceleration, and reduces emissions significantly as well. The final design will meet or exceed guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Aviation Association and the National Fire Protection Association. Other advantages of the system include:

Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with products marketed under the Oshkosh, Pierce and McNeilus brand names. The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, WI, and has annual sales of $1.165 billion.

Source: Oshkosh