Published: 21 December, 2011
Advertising Feature

Low emission motors are no longer to be restricted to cars, after improved hydraulic technology has enabled manufacturers to apply hybrid equipment to much larger vehicles than previously attempted. Hybrid engines have been tried out on a variety of heavy vehicles and have proved to be something of a success, encouraging the hydraulics industry to improve the technology and take it further. Trial vehicles have included delivery vans for Internet companies and even rubbish trucks, proving once and for all that going green is garbage.

With low emission cars undergoing a surge in popularity (a report by oil giant Exxon Mobil predicts that 50 per cent of cars on the road will be hybrid by 2040), the time has never been better for companies to invest in better research, to look for ways of improving the capabilities of their hybrid engines. The main problem that hydraulic companies are facing is that hybrid motors are traditionally less powerful than fuel-powered ones; high power can be the most important attribute in getting a heavier vehicle to move.

However, there are a number of technologies on the market that may provide the perfect solution, including the new twin motor hybrid from Honda. This vehicle benefits from two hybrid motor engines, meaning that the car is eco-friendly without compromising on power. The twin motors maximise vehicle performance and fuel efficiency, while the technology is thought to be the first in a long line of improvements and developments from hybrid car manufacturers. Whether a similar system would work remains to be seen, but twin engines would certainly help make up the loss in power if hydraulic vehicles were to be powered by hybrid technology.

If suitable hybrid technology could be applied to hydraulic vehicles, it’s thought that fuel efficiency could be improved by around 30-35 per cent, rising to 60 per cent in heavy traffic. Aside from the impact on the environment, the benefits to companies that own and run large vehicles would be manifold; along with lower fuel consumption, the vehicles would require less maintenance on brakes and braking systems, due to the fact that most hybrid engines recycle the energy used by braking.

Hybrid motors could also save the company money in terms of road tax and insurance. Many low emissions vehicles are eligible for some form of discount on road tax, and most insurance companies will also offer reduced rates to such vehicles. When one considers the amount of vehicles a hydraulics company traditionally has, these savings could be significantly enough to tempt some company bosses to switch to eco-friendly motors once and for all.

The financial benefits are not just applicable to the companies themselves; the recent report from Exxon Mobil pointed out a link between hybrid technology and a rise in the economy. They predicted that while energy demand across developed countries would stabilise over the next 30 years, worldwide GDP would grow at an average of 2.9 per cent per year. If their predictions are accurate, a move towards more eco-friendly hydraulic vehicles will significantly contribute to this rise, which may even push it higher (the report focussed mainly on the impact of cars, so additional hydraulic hybrids would certainly improve things further).

Whatever happens in the hydraulic industry, it’s certain that improving eco credentials and lowering fuel emissions is an important goal for many companies at the moment. Aside from improving the company’s reputation and green credentials, such technology may even end up saving them money and vital maintenance time in the future. Following the success of the recent ‘trial runs’ in vans and garbage trucks, researchers are confident that it’s only a matter of time before the first hybrid HGV hits the market. How this impacts on the industry, and the environment as a whole, remains to be seen.