WM Tests Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks

Houston-based Waste Management has deployed four hydraulic hybrid-diesel garbage trucks in its Fort Worth, Texas, fleet.

The four trucks use a hydraulic system that captures and stores energy during braking. The energy is transferred to accelerate the truck to the next pickup location, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption and wear on the engine.

“Though development is in early stages, we are optimistic that the investment we are making now will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gases, and ultimately benefit both manufacturers and users of heavy vocational vehicles,” said Eric Woods, vice president of fleet and logistics for Waste Management, in a press release.

The trucks are part of Waste Management’s goal to increase its fleets’ fuel efficiency by 15 percent and reduce fleet emissions by 15 percent by 2020.