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ArvinMeritor, Wal-Mart Agree To Development Of Diesel-Electric Drivetrain

TROY, Mich. — ArvinMeritor and Wal-Mart Transportation of Bentonville, Ark., have agreed to the development of a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor.

The vehicle, which is believed to be the first dual-mode diesel-electric tractor prototype in development in North America, will be based on an International Class 8 ProStar tractor and powered by an engine developed by Cummins Inc.

"We've been working on development of hybrid drivetrains for some time," Carsten J. Reinhardt, president of the company's Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) business, said.  "This Class 8 project is a major step in our continuing work in alternative drivetrain development, both for power transmission and emissions, and holds tremendous promise for the worldwide heavy-duty trucking market in a number of important environmental and economic ways."

ArvinMeritor will provide the tandem axle, regenerative braking system, air disc brakes and advanced ABS with integrated stability control and driver assistance systems (from Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems), software, electronic controls, transfer case and motors, as well as the battery power from a third party.

"ArvinMeritor is a leader in all areas of drivetrain and brake system development for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and is an ideal partner for Wal-Mart for the development of this dual-mode diesel-electric systems," Tim Yatsko, senior vice president/transportation for Wal-Mart, said.  "We knew it would take a highly integrated approach, and we believe ArvinMeritor understands all of the pieces of the puzzle needed to complete this picture."

Wal-Mart had announced earlier that in the next 10 years, it intends to double the fuel efficiency of its fleet of heavy-duty trucks.

Dual-mode diesel-electric drivetrains, which have both mechanical and electrical propulsion systems, use the electric motor drive primarily for periods of high demand under low-speed, high-load operating conditions, such as accelerating from a stop.  Once moving, the mechanical propulsion system begins to blend its power with the electric motor until it reaches highway speeds, where the drive phases to completely mechanical.  The electrical system can provide additional power during hill climbing, even at highway speeds.