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The Port of Shanghai announced on Monday (24 August) the introduction of a fleet of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) trucks which it purchased from US company Efficient Drivetrains Inc (EDI) in collaboration with truck manufacturer Shaanxi Automotive.
The trucks, which are specifically designed for port conditions, are expected to provide significant fuel saving and emissions reduction without affecting power and performance.
Joe Lin, EDI’s director of engineering, said that the company is now “able to electrify port vehicles weighing nearly 45 tons when carrying cargo, therefore reducing the use of conventional fuel vehicles at Shanghai’s port.”
The PHEV port trucks, of which Shaanxi is forecasted to acquire 200 over the course of 2016, are able to operate at 99,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) with electrified vehicle accessories.
The trucks will be used to replace conventional fuel vehicles of the same specifications by providing all-electric zero emissions driving capability as well as parallel and series hybrid operation.
China is attempting to improve its air quality and the Port of Shanghai is an area of particular concern, as it uses heavy-duty trucks which burn fuel for 20 to 22 hours a day without stopping.
Shanghai port has held its position at the top of the CM’s World Top Container Ports rankings since 2010.
The port handled a total of 35.28m teu in its various container terminal areas in 2014.