Most recently, Eaton introduced its hybrid electric system into the Indian city bus market with debut on the Tata Motors electric hybrid Starbuses used for transporting special foreign delegates during the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Tata Motors jointly operated these four buses with the Delhi Transport Corporation on specific routes during the games.
Worldwide, more than 4,500 of Eaton’s hybrid systems are in use today on city buses, school buses, package delivery trucks, beverage delivery trucks, refrigerated delivery trucks, refuse and recycling trucks, utility vehicles and other commercial applications. Eaton has also begun offering a complete line of electric vehicle charging systems to further reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
“Tata is an innovative leader in the Indian bus market and is making important progress in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Krishnakumar Srinivasan, managing director – Eaton Truck Division in India. “Eaton is well positioned to deliver effective power management technologies that help our customers control costs and reduce their energy requirements. Hybrid-powered buses have the potential to impact environmental sustainability in a very big way. We’ve seen many positive results from customers in North America, Europe and Asia, and we hope that today’s debut will lead to greater acceptance of hybrid technology throughout all of India.”
Eaton worked with Tata to specially design the system for buses that run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The hybrid system combines a 5.9 litre Cummins CNG engine rated at 172 kilowatt (230HP) with an electric motor that has a peak power output of 44 kilowatt. Eaton matches the system to an automated six-speed Eaton transmission and stores energy in four lithium-ion batteries that are mounted under the seats. Additionally, Eaton equips the buses with its unique start-stop technology that automatically switches off the engine when the bus is stationary and turns it back on when power is needed. This system dramatically reduces emissions, especially at bus stops.
Eaton offers the world’s most complete line-up of hybrid systems for commercial vehicle applications and the charging and networked charging infrastructure for commercial and residential applications. Eaton hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hybrid hydraulic power systems are available or in development on truck models including Crane Carrier Corporation, DAF, Daimler, Freightliner, Ford, International, Iveco, Kenworth, and Peterbilt and on bus models from BCI, Foton, Heng Tong, JNP, King Long, Shen Long, Solaris, Tata, YoungMan, Yutong and Zhongtong.
Benefits of the Eaton hybrid systems include fuel savings up to 35 percent, with similar percentages in emission reductions, extended brake life and idle time reductions of up to 87 percent during work site operations which helps customers to significantly reduce their operating costs.
Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2009 sales of $11.9 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.
