Design and development of a plug-in auxiliary power unit for heavy duty vehicle applications and stationary vocational equipment

Southern California Edison (SCE) is an electric utility focused on providing clean, safe, reliable and efficient power to its customers. SCE is also active in improving vehicle fleet efficiency to reduce petroleum use and emissions. The Electric Vehicle Technical Center (EVTC) is operated by SCE for evaluation of electric and alternate fuel propulsion and energy storage systems for vehicles and fleet vocational equipment, as well as stationary applications. EVTC has developed testing procedures designed to replicate rigorous field service activities for fleet trucks and their associated stationary equipment used for transmission and distributions service. The testing procedure evaluates field duty cycles and fuel use, including electrical power system impact from charging. The procedures played a major role in the evaluation of a current hybrid truck. The performance data from conventional SCE fleet trucks was used as a basis for design and development of Southern California Edison´s plug-in auxiliary power unit (SCE APU), to provide modular electrical and hydraulic power. The goal is to install the SCE APU in various medium to heavy duty fleet truck applications.