WATERTOWN, SD- The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently announced approval of nearly $500,000 in funds for a California Terex HyPower Hybrid retrofit project. The project, scheduled to be completed in January 2012, will retrofit 12 medium- and heavy-duty utility service vehicles with the Terex HyPower Hybrid System. The HyPower technology can significantly reduce vehicle fuel consumption, lower engine emissions, and minimize noise pollution when installed on utility service vehicles, according to a release issued by Terex.

 In collaboration with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and CALSTART, the Terex HyPower Hybrid Project is aligned with the goals of the CEC AB 118 program, which seeks to advance medium- and heavy-duty vehicle technologies in order to significantly reduce the demand for petroleum fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of this project is to demonstrate that vehicle fleets can transition to the HyPower Hybrid technology at a faster rate and with a much lower initial capital investment by retrofitting existing service vehicles rather than purchasing new ones.

"We are pleased to partner with the CEC, PG&E, and CALSTART to move forward with the Terex HyPower Hybrid Project," said Joe Caywood, marketing manager, Terex Utilities. "This retrofit project will make a significant impact in 'greening' service vehicle fleets quickly and efficiently."

A primary benefit of the HyPower System is fuel savings.  Immediate benefits of the TerexHyPower Hybrid system are reduced fuel consumption (600-1,000 gallons per year per vehicle) lowered CO₂ emissions (6-10 metric tons per year per vehicle), and reduced worksite noise pollution.

The system employs rechargeable batteries to provide power for aerial boom operation, cabin heating and air conditioning, as well as worksite lighting — virtually eliminating long stretches of engine run time. The hybrid technology replaces fuel consumption used when idling with stored electric energy. The HyPower System utilizes a standard electrical connection (110-V outlet) for recharging batteries, which enables service truck operators to use the electrical power grid as a primary recharging source.

"With the HyPower Hybrid System, Terex has not only paved the way for utility companies to 'green' their service vehicle fleets, but we've also created a technology that is easily transferrable to a vast number of other vehicles that operate auxiliary devices using standard power take-off (PTO)," says Caywood. "Hydraulically operated devices that use this technology could include garbage compactors on sanitation vehicles, winches on tow trucks, and lifts on delivery trucks."

The CEC grant for the TerexHyPower Hybrid Project matches an additional $2.4 million in private funds and in-kind contributions from PG&E and Terex.

Click here for more information about the CEC AB 118 program.

About the California Energy Commission
California is the world's fifth largest consumer of energy and ranks second in gasoline consumption only behind the whole United States. Today, California is a world leader in electricity created by renewable energy resources and has been at the forefront in energy efficiency. Directing how such a nation-state uses its energy has been the purpose of the California Energy Commission for more than a quarter of a century. The Energy Commission is the state's principal energy policy and planning organization.

About Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation, is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California.

About CALSTART
HVIP is one of several projects operated by CALSTART, North America's leading clean transportation technologies and solutions consortium. One key focus area for CALSTART has been the market introduction of clean, low-carbon solutions in medium and heavy-duty vehicles. CALSTART is a member-supported organization of more than 140 firms, fleets and agencies worldwide dedicated to supporting a growing high-tech, clean transportation industry that cleans the air, creates jobs, cuts imported oil and reduces global warming emissions.

About Terex
Terex Corporation is a diversified global manufacturer operating in four business segments: Terex Aerial Work Platforms, Terex Construction, Terex Cranes, and Terex Materials Processing. Terex manufactures a broad range of equipment for use in various industries, including the construction, infrastructure, quarrying, mining, shipping, transportation, energy, refining, and utility industries. Terex offers a complete line of financial products and services to assist in the acquisition of Terex equipment through Terex Financial Services.