DuraStar Hybrid

Leading the Way International Truck and Engine Corporation is the first company to begin line production of hybrid commercial trucks. As diesel fuel prices continue their volatility and engine emissions requirements tighten, International presents the International® DuraStar™ Hybrid, a diesel hybrid electric medium-duty truck that provides customers with improved fuel efficiency and reduced engine emissions. Among the first to drive these forward-thinking trucks is Florida Power and Light (FPL), one of the largest utilities in the United States. Read this testimonial to learn more about the real-world benefits from a company with firsthand experience behind the wheel.
	The International DuraStar Hybrid has the proven capability to provide dramatic fuel savings—from 30 to 40 percent on standard in-city pickup and delivery applications. That fuel efficiency can increase to more than 60 percent in utility-type applications when the engine can be shut off but electric power still operates the vehicle. For example, diesel emissions are completely eliminated when the hybrid truck operates equipment (like overhead utility booms) solely on the truck's battery power, instead of allowing the engine to idle. Government Incentives One of the key challenges facing the trucking industry is the high initial cost to bring hybrid technology to market. As International builds scale, hybrid truck prices are expected to decrease dramatically. In the meantime, many customers are working to secure government funding to help offset the cost of this new technology. Incentives are available on both the Federal and State level, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 can provide tax credits of up to $12,000 per unit. To find out more about these incentives, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency website.
Tracking Hybrid Performance One major advantage for International's hybrid product is the company's Diamond Logic Electrical system, which integrates the body equipment and the hybrid power-train so they can work as a single piece of equipment. Additionally, the International DuraStar Hybrid can be equipped with International's AWARE vehicle intelligence system to allow for real-time data collection, reporting, and analysis. Click here to learn more about the Diamond Logic Electrical system.