MorElectric Truck Begins Field Validation
October 20, 2004
Staff from Caterpillar Inc., Cat Electronics, and International Truck and Engine Corporation recently delivered the first of five "MorElectric™ Technology equipped" International 9200 chassis trucks with Cat C13 engines to Cox Transfer, Inc. for field validation. The trucks were developed as part of a joint project between the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), International, and Caterpillar Inc., to demonstrate heavy-duty trucks that deliver energy savings by reducing idling during rest periods and increasing on-road efficiency. The delivery took place on September 30 at Cox Transfer's Eureka, IL, facility.
A truckload and flatbed common and contract carrier, Cox Transfer agreed to purchase five International trucks equipped with Caterpillar's MorElectric System and five identical trucks without the MorElectric System for baseline comparison. The trucks will accumulate miles over 12 months and demonstrate improved cab comfort during stops. During the year-long validation, Cox will gather both vehicle performance data and monthly driver reports. These data and reports will be submitted to DOE, which will leverage the information and disseminate it to the trucking industry.
Laboratory data show that a MorElectric equipped truck can achieve up to a two percent on-road fuel savings and six percent fuel savings from reduced idling during stops, for a total energy efficiency improvement of up to eight percent. Assuming these numbers are borne out by the field validation, Cox Transfer benefits in several ways — saved money, improved cab comfort for the company's drivers during rest periods, reduced engine wear, increased vehicle resale value, and a defined, effective idle reduction solution for the trucking industry.