Sep 28, 2010 9:25 AM

Emisstar LLC and Capacity of Texas Inc have successfully completed Capacity’s New Technology Research and Development (NTRD) grant from the state of Texas for the development of a functional prototype Pluggable Hybrid Electric Terminal Tractor (PHETT). The grant was completed by Capacity of Texas, in partnership with Alternative Motive Power Systems LLC of Alexandria OH, and Emisstar LLC.

The project was funded through a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s NTRD program. Capacity developed a modular hybrid electric terminal tractor capable of operating in either a generator set “charge-sustaining” hybrid mode or in a “zero-emissions” mode using grid-supplied power. The final PEMS report released by Emisstar and Capacity marks the successful completion of the grant and project for the TCEQ. Copies of the report can be downloaded at www.emisstar.com.

Emisstar performed on-board emission testing and prototype vehicle performance validation at the Port of Houston TX to quantify the fuel economy improvements and emission reductions of the PHETT under real-world cargo offloading conditions. Emisstar’s testing documented fuel economy improvement of 47%, on average, compared with traditional diesel-powered terminal tractors, and duty-cycle specific reductions in total mass emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.

Capacity developed the PHETT’s propulsion system with AMPS, a critical components supplier. Additionally, Capacity’s patent-pending hydraulic and pneumatic power systems for the PHETT are powered by a single dual-shaft, variable-speed motor.