The EPA and UPS have co-developed a delivery truck with hydraulic hybrid technology that can increase fuel efficiency by 60-70 percent and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent.
According to the EPA the "hydraulic hybrid powertrain and a unique hydraulic hybrid propulsion system integrated with the drive axle" can reduce fuel consumption in the brown truck by 1,000 gallons per year.
Unlike today's hybrid cars there are no batteries; the energy captured during braking is stored in hydraulic tanks.
The EPA is one of several groups vying to deliver a production quality hydraulic hybrid. None of the hybrid car makers have made noise about this technology, so either they are behind the times or they don't have faith in hydraulic storage.
