A case study in the electrification of Class-8 trucks

This paper presents truck electrification developments from an ongoing program sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE). The industrial partners in this program are Caterpillar Inc. (lead company), Kenworth Truck Co., Emerson Electric Co., and Engineered Machine Products Inc. In this project a high-efficiency flywheel-mounted generator/starter provides electrical power to drive several accessories on a "flow-on-demand" approach. Accessory electrification provides the following benefits: fuel savings, thermal load reductions, emission reductions, significant flexibility in placing components inside the engine compartment, and a great potential for enhancements over current Class 7/8 truck design configurations. This system provides the on-board infrastructure needed to enable operators to use shore power, or auxiliary power units, to provide heat and/or air-conditioning for the cabin, and supply hotel type loads. These developments are well aligned with truck stop electrification programs, and make it possible to curtail overnight idling, reducing emissions and realizing sizable fuel savings. Analysis and test results are presented to illustrate the fuel savings potential provided by truck electrification.