Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Been done. UPS has a number of hydraulic hybrid delivery trucks, and there are HH garbage trucks available.
The problem with a pickup version is that the big win comes when you have a duty cycle that involves a lot of stop & go.
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[Sorry, by the rules I had to remove link in order to reply. When I've posted more I can keep them in or add my own.]
What I'm referring to is the kind of modification that fits the Ecomodder model: small, simple, within the limitations of the "average" garage/shadetree tinkerer. Those Autocar, etc. are trucks with plenty of space and capacity for large, heavy components. To do this kind of modification on a 60's model Fiat 500 (smaller than a Vee-dub) was an achievement...and without the kind of funding companies like those have, both private and taxpayer sourced. In addition, neither Carman nor Ernie Parker (who is still with us today) had access to the engineers, industrial equipment and facilities that Eton, Ford, Autocar, Parker, et al have. Sure like to see a successful duplication of the little guy efforts, like the EV build we see by the multiple dozens. By it's not having been done for quite a long time, it's not easy. It requires a great deal of focus on purpose and commitment, as well as time, though probably about the same amount of money as an EV conversion.