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Sustainable Florida Best Practices Awards Program
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Large Business Best Practice AwardFlorida Power and Light Company
Hybrid vehicles are gaining popularity as passenger cars and light trucks. But what about hybrid-powered engines for huge, multi-ton vehicles?
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George Survant, Director of Fleet Services for FPL, initiated the development of a Hybrid Utility Truck Working Group with WestStart/CALSTART, a non-profit organization that helps companies clean the air, lesson dependence on foreign oil and reduce climate change impact.
The Working Group, which included thirteen utilities from around the country, issued an industry-wide request for proposals for a hybrid large truck engine that would perform identically to existing trucks while reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and providing on-board electrical power generation.
FPL took possession of three trucks from the Army’s National Automotive Center. The impact was immediate. The hybrids, fueled by B20 (20% biodiesel fuel produced from soybeans), showed a 55.3% reduction in fuel consumption as a well as significant emissions-reduction benefits.
Another important feature of the hybrid system is that when the trucks reach the work site, the hybrid system can power the hydraulic pump that operates the aerial device and its tools for up to two hours without running the engine. It is this ability to shut down the engine that helps the truck cut fuel use so significantly.
FPL and its utility partners are committed to advocating the use and advancement of hybrid technology on the state and national levels.
What can you do?
- “Green” your fleet with electric, hybrid, flex fuel and high mpg vehicles where possible.
- Encourage and provide premium parking for carpool, hybrid and ride sharing employees.
- Permit and encourage telecommuting.
- Support funding for mass transit.
- Ride a bike or walk for short errands.
