Front line of green auto tech
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--For everything we hear about the electric Tesla Roadster and Chevy Volt, this lineup of trucks is as much on the vanguard of green auto technologies.
The New England chapter of the National Fleet Management Association on Monday hosted the AltWheels 2009 Fleet Day conference here, where there were dozens of alternative fuel and electric vehicles on display. In some ways, fleet operators are better positioned to deploy alternative vehicle technology than consumers because their driving needs are consistent and their spending on fuel can be closely tracked.
One trend at this year's event was hybrid and electric trucks, including the hybrid delivery truck at the far left of the frame, which Staples just received. The company, which hosted the conference, is also testing an all-electric delivery truck made by Smith Electric Vehicles. This technology is well suited to deliveries because the stop-and-go nature of the driving allows the batteries to be recharged during braking. See this video for more details. In the foreground on the right is the front of Ford's Transit Connect van. Ford plans to release an all-electric version next year.
October 6, 2009 10:31 AM PDT
Photo by: Martin LaMonica
