DENVER - The Denver Fleet Management Division recently replaced older units in its fleet with four Freightliner Business Class M2106 Hybrid trucks as part of the City and County of Denver's efforts to decrease energy demands and improve air quality.

One approach to reducing harmful emissions and improving the environment has been the "greening" of Denver's fleet. The Denver Fleet Management Division, which maintains more than 1,900 vehicles and pieces of equipment for the city, began building its hybrid fleet with the purchase of light-duty hybrids. The four new Freightliner Business Class M2106 Hybrid aerial bucket trucks will be used for forestry, traffic signal, and traffic sign repair.

"The Freightliner trucks mark our entry into medium-duty hybrid use, and are a welcome addition to our fleet," said Ernie Ivy, fleet director, City and County of Denver. "With the new trucks, we will improve the way we deliver services to the citizens."

The Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Hybrid features the Eaton Hybrid Electric parallel Drivetrain System that enables the truck to operate using the diesel engine alone, or in combination with the hybrid electric motor. This provides additional power to launch the vehicle and improve fuel economy in stop-and-go operations, in addition to reducing emissions and operating noise, particularly when the hybrid system powers the auxiliary equipment in ePTO mode, according to the manufacturer.

"We operate in neighborhoods all around Denver, so our goal is to reduce pollution and noise in the places where we live and work," said Ivy. "The trucks also further our efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum use." Denver is receiving grants for the hybrid purchases and should recoup its outlay for the hybrid technology in five to seven years through increased fuel economy and lowered maintenance expenses.