Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/140569
Want more equipment news? Scan the barcode to sign up for the CCJ Equipment Weekly e-mail newsletter or go to www.goo.gl/Ph9JK. and emits almost zero exhaust emissions or particulate matter. Prototype versions of the DME-optimized D13 engines currently have selective catalytic reduction systems, but Saxman says there is the potential to eliminate all exhaust aftertreatment systems from DME trucks in the future. Like diesel, DME is a compressioncombustive fuel, which Saxman says gives it high horsepower capabilities. The vehicles I drove were 425-horsepower units, but Saxman is confident the official market launch in 2015 also will include a 500-hp version. Additionally, Saxman says, Volvo believes it easily can outfit daycab versions of DME-powered VNs to have a 600mile range. Behind the wheel, I found a lot to like. The only glaring difference about DME as a truck fuel is that it takes a bit longer to start the truck. Once the vehicle is running, the engine is noticeably quieter than diesel and seems to be at least as quiet – if not more so – than CNG and LNG trucks I've driven. Thanks to the engine rating and Volvo's I-Shift automated manual transmission, there was plenty of low-end power to get a flatbed loaded out to about 55,000 pounds up and moving – and keep it at speed out on the highway. Out on the road, DME as a fuel is kind of unremarkable. That's not a slap at this fuel; rather, the DME engine performs so well and so flawlessly that you quickly forget you don't have a diesel engine under the hood. DME is just breaking into an alternative fuel market that remains in its infancy. While many fleets will opt to run diesel for as long as they possibly can, those that are investigating green solutions now have an interesting new option to consider in DME. JACK ROBERTS is Executive Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. E-mail jroberts@ccjmagazine.com or call (205) 248-1358. Peterbilt redesigns Model 320 interior P eterbilt's Model 320 interior now features a floorto-ceiling redesign. The new instrumentation panel includes LED backlit gauges designed for easy visibility through the steering wheel, along with the Driver Information Display and rocker switches engineered to be within easy reach. An in-mold process embeds color directly into the dash for a durable long-lasting finish, helping to eliminate fading, scratching and peeling; removable dash panels allow easier access to electrical and HVAC components. The header includes overhead HVAC controls and toggle switches for body devices and the ConcertClass audio system. The cab's B-pillar has been redesigned to include cab corner windows for increased visibility; a lowered dash brow and a large retractable sunshade that spreads the length of the front windshield also contributes to improved overall visibility. Storage space is expanded with multiple large storage compartments, a space designed for a small lunch cooler and driver and passenger side cup holders. Allison debuts fully automatic hybrid transmission A llison Transmission says its H 3000 hybrid-propulsion system for commercial vehicles is designed for use in medium- and heavy-duty trucks in distribution, refuse, utility and shuttle applications. The fully automatic transmission is based on Allison's 3000 series transmission and is powered by a lithium-ion cell battery pack and a motor generator. The company says the battery can be tailored to fit specific applications, which allows for flexibility and better performance for individual use. Allison Transmission's H 3000 hybrid-propulsion system is powered by a lithium-ion cell battery pack and a motor generator. commercial carrier journal | july 2013 0713_Equipdept_Jack.indd 25 25 6/19/13 1:56 PM