BAE Systems and Caterpillar sign 20-year HybriDrive agreement

3948 BAE Systems and 178 Caterpillar have signed a long-term supply agreement to collaborate on an energy efficient parallel hybrid propulsion system for heavy-duty trucks. Under the 20-year agreement, BAE Systems will integrate the Cat CX family of transmissions into its HybriDrive parallel propulsion system, and will establish an aftermarket field services model leveraging Caterpillar’s global service network to support the growing installed base.

The parallel system, the latest member of BAE Systems’ HybriDrive family, complements and draws upon the company’s proven HybriDrive series system, currently deployed in more than 3,800 transit buses across the globe. Recent field tests in spring 2011 revealed that trucks powered by the HybriDrive parallel system experienced an average fuel economy improvement of 30 per cent when compared to diesel engine trucks. While the fuel ratings were experienced across a range of standard driving cycles, the system performed best on stop-and-go cycles where average speed is between five and 20 miles per hour, making it an optimal choice for refuse collection and delivery trucks.

“Through this alliance, our transmission will become an integral part of BAE Systems’ new HybriDrive parallel system,” said Jeff Pohl, Hauling & OEM Drivetrains Product Manager for Caterpillar. “Our driveline expertise, including planetary automatic transmission expertise, combined with BAE Systems’ proven hybrid technology, will result in a seamlessly integrated product that meets performance and efficiency demands of vehicles that operate in diverse duty cycles.”