EPA and Chrysler partner to adapt fuel efficient technology

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chrysler have announced a cooperative agreement to develop and adapt hydraulic hybrid technology for the light duty auto market.

The goal of the partnership is to design a Chrysler minivan as a demonstration vehicle, using EPA’s own patented technology. They anticipate that the hydraulic hybrid technology will increase overall fuel efficiency 30-35 percent (60 percent city driving) and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent. Increasing efficiency also cuts down on emissions of other harmful pollutants that threaten Americans’ health.

EPA’s hydraulic hybrid technology, developed in the agency’s lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is coming into use in large delivery and refuse trucks across the country. The hydraulic hybrid system captures and reuses the energy lost in braking through a hydraulic pressure vessel. The system can also turn off the engine when it is not needed and only fully use the engine when it can operate at peak efficiency.

 

For more information on the hydraulic hybrid system visit epa.gov/otaq/technology