Volvo unveils trucks of the future

Once again kudos to the Volvo group for being ahead of the game. I just have wonder when others will follow suit. I know Paccar is with the hybrids.

Kinghunter

 

I hope American trucks will still be #1 in the Future. I don't want to see any more Swedish stuff on the road.

 

American manufacturers need to start investing money in development of there products if there to stand any chance of being no 1 in the future.Look at international...they churn the same garbage out year after year.Caterpillar are to stop production of class 8 motors next year because they couldn`t meet 2010 emmissions.I own one of those"Swedish" trucks(made in Hagerstown,MD)and will continue to own one until in my opinion somebody out there builds a better truck.

 

Ethanol has proven to be inefficient . How long do you think it will be before there could be adequate supply and availability of hydrogen ? Plain old diesel will be the main fuel used for a long time .

 

um, that multi-fuel technology has been around since the 50's (think deuce-and-a-half), so it's not new. Diesel was always much cheaper than anything else so there was no need for development.

 

The government requires agencies to buy flex-fuel vehicles . Here's a report on the effects of that requirement .
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/w...owers_most_of_governments_flex_fuel_vehicles/

Note page 9
http://www.theicct.org/documents/RichardFraer-1.pdf

 

The cheapest way to make hydrogen is using natural gas as feedstock. So much for independence from "fossil" fuel.

You've been able to get an LNG conversion (from westport) of the ISX for quite some time. Kenworth is now offering the installation as a factory option which also happens to qualify for subsidy from the los angeles port authority.

http://www.kenworth.com/6100_pre_mor.asp?file=2255

 

Why? It's made in America.

 

Not to be a killjoy here, BUT..... the higher cost of development and production in anything "green" is certainly to be added to cost of the equipment. The very last line in that article indicated a 5 to 8% increase in fuel efficiency. Here's the math:

Simple Model, Cost up 8%, Fuel Effeciency Up 8%

Current Fuel

Cost of Equipment $ 125,000
Interest Expense $ 25,284
Fuel Expense $ 312,500
5YR Expense Window $ 462,784

Volvo Hybrid Model
Cost of Equipment $ 135,000
Interest Expense $ 37,307
Fuel Expense $ 289,351
New 5YR Expense $ 461,658

Net Savings over 5 Years $ 1,126


Now, the unknowns here, and not mentioned in the article are the changes in service requirements and costs thereto, and dependability/power concerns. I'm not against going green, but when you look at the total cost of it based solely on its merits, rarely is it worth the price tag that certainly comes along with it. The total picture is more detailed than "Hey, go Hybrid, we'll save you 5 to 8%". $1,126 over 5 years is $18.77 per month. I'll bet you'll spend more than that in service related issues. Lastly, I can spend less money than the change to the increased interest expense alone on my old truck and increase fuel efficiency at least the 5%. The result will be a total increase to my bottom line over the 5 year window. But hey, don't take my word for it. Buy two or three. It'll make the current trucks cheaper, I'll upgrade, spend a little on it, getter better mileage with it, AND make more money for it.