Bexar County Becomes First Texas County To Introduce Kenworth Hybrid Trucks
Three Hybrids Feature Crew Cabs, Dump Bodies
Download a PDF of this release.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, June 24, 2009 – Citizens of Bexar County, which encompasses San Antonio and outlying areas, can breathe a little easier today thanks to the delivery of three new Kenworth T370 diesel-electric hybrid trucks.
During a special ceremony, the new Kenworth hybrid trucks were presented to Bexar County officials at the county’s Southton Service Center. On hand to receive the keys were Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, County Engineer Renee Green, P.E., and Street and Drainage Manager Tony Vasquez. Danny Ortega, general manager, and Rick Hendricks, medium duty sales manager of Kenworth of South Texas in San Antonio, presented the new Kenworth hybrids.
“Bexar County is excited to become the first county in Texas to run Kenworth hybrid trucks,” Vasquez said. “In 2007, Bexar County adopted an energy policy with the primary goals to reduce and conserve energy and promote environmental responsibility throughout the county. The policy also promoted the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles to help reduce emissions. In addition, these Kenworth hybrid vehicles will help launch the County’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiative to become carbon-neutral. The county already operates hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles, and now is the right time to move hybrid technology to our heavy truck fleet.”
From left are Bexar County Street and Drainage Manager Tony Vasquez, Energy Manager Golda Weir, and Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson; and Kenworth of South Texas General Manager Danny Ortega and Medium Duty Sales Manager Rick Hendricks.
According to Vasquez, an article he read about Kenworth hybrid trucks from a few years ago stuck with him. “I actually clipped the article and saved it in my office. When fuel prices began to rise, the timing was right. With support from key county officials, we placed an order,” said Vasquez. “We estimate that the new hybrids will enhance fuel efficiency by 30 to 40 percent, and contribute to our continuing mission of being a good environmental steward with a comparable reduction in emissions. It’s an exciting start, and we expect hybrid trucks to be an important part of Bexar County’s future.”
The county’s Kenworth T370 hybrids are equipped as 6-yard dump trucks and feature crew cabs, which enable up to five people to go to job sites. The aftermarket crew cab conversion option is available through Kenworth’s partnership with Bentz Transport Products.
Each truck will be located at one of the county’s three service centers. The Kenworth T370 hybrids are assigned to pick up and deliver loads of dirt and aggregate throughout the county, which serves more than 1.5 million people. The county’s Kenworth hybrids are equipped with a pintle hitch, so trailers can be towed to haul service units, such as skid steers, small rollers and shredders.
“We expect heavy use for these Kenworth hybrids with each traveling up to 20,000 miles annually,” said Vasquez. “We operate in about half rural and half urban areas with a lot of stop-and-go driving. That’s where the hybrid technology will really come into play.”
From left are Bexar County Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, Kenworth of South Texas General Manager Danny Ortega, and Bexar County Street and Drainage Manager Tony Vasquez.
The 161-inch BBC crew cab uses a one-piece fiberglass roof with 4-inch raised rear section, which provides up to 62 inches of interior height. The remaining crew cab structure is aluminum and provides an additional 52 inches of length and is 85 inches wide at the rear. Kenworth’s Slate Gray vinyl interior trim is standard.
Bexar County’s Kenworth T370 hybrids are powered by PACCAR PX-6 engines rated at 260hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, and the Eaton diesel-electric hybrid power system. The trucks use an integral transmission-mounted motor/generator; frame-mounted 340-volt, lithium-ion battery pack; and dedicated power management system. The power takeoff (PTO) for the dump is run off the main engine. Electricity generated through regenerative braking is stored and used for acceleration, assisting the diesel engine. The hybrid system is monitored through an in-dash display. As the power requirements for different driving conditions change, the screen constantly updates the driver on system status.
Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company’s dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, medium duty diesel-electric hybrids, liquefied natural gas trucks, and the Kenworth Clean Power® no-idle system. This year, Kenworth became the first truck manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of its environmentally friendly products. In addition, Kenworth is the recipient of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates awards for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Over the Road and Vocational Segment Class 8 trucks. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.
