Development of the yet to be released Allison hybrid commercial duty truck drive system was supported with a $62.8 million US Department of Energy stimulus grant as well as significant investment by Allison Transmission.
Allison said that the unique design of this new system will deliver high levels of fuel efficiency, quality, reliability and durability to all users in a diverse range of applications throughout the world.
This system captures kinetic energy that is otherwise wasted as a vehicle decelerates, and later reuses the energy to propel or reaccelerate the vehicle. The recovered energy can also be used to power vehicle accessories.
“Allison is well along the path to delivering the best performing and most economically viable truck hybrid drive solution,” says Allison Transmission Chairman and CEO Lawrence E. Dewey. “The initial focus of our efforts will be directed toward the use of hybrids in the pick-up and delivery, shuttle, utility and refuse applications.”
US President Barack Obama announced that Allison was being awarded the $62.8 million grant during a visit to Indiana in August 2009 by US Department of Energy under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to increase the United States’ capacity to produce cost effective, fuel efficient commercial duty hybrid truck propulsion systems.
This was followed by a long-term business agreement between Allison and Transmission and Delphi Automotive Systems, LLC in December 2009. This agreement means that Delphi will supply Allison with key hybrid drive system components and energy storage systems for the hybrid truck system.
Once fully operational, a new Allison hybrid manufacturing plant in Indianapolis will be able to produce over 20,000 commercial duty hybrid propulsion systems each year.