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ADVISORY/Nation's First Heavy-Duty Hybrid Electric Truck to Debut at CARB Meeting

25 May 1999

ADVISORY/Nation's First Heavy-Duty Hybrid Electric Truck to Debut at CARB Meeting

    --

    Successful Completion and Testing of Class 8 Truck Prototype
    Demonstrates Viability of Clean Fuel Technologies in
    Large Vehicle Applications

WHAT:  WestStart-CALSTART, San Diego-based ISE Research, California 
       Air Resources Board (CARB) will demonstrate the nation's first 
       hybrid electric heavy-duty truck at CARB meeting in Sacramento. 
       Company also will roll out propane-powered hybrid electric 
       buses now in operation in downtown Los Angeles by Los Angeles 
       Department of Transportation.

WHERE: California Air Resources Board
       2020 L Street
       Sacramento, California

WHEN:  Thursday, May 27, 1999
       11 a.m.

WHO:   Alan Lloyd, chairman, California Air Resources Board
       Bill Van Amburg, vice president, WestStart-CALSTART
       Mike Simon, chairman of the board, ISE Research

VISUALS: 

       Nation's first heavy-duty Class 8 hybrid electric truck, a true
       "big rig" operating with an electric drive system and a 
       propane-powered hybrid electric bus currently in operation in 
       downtown Los Angeles.

BACKGROUND:

       The ISE Research Hybrid Electric Prototype Truck (HEPT) is 
       pushing the leading edge of clean technologies for heavy-duty 
       vehicles. The truck replaces its diesel engine with a smaller, 
       clean natural gas-powered engine to run a generator, providing 
       power to the vehicle's electric drive motor and battery packs.  
       The Kenworth T-800B chassis integrates several new technologies 
       including a unique, automated APU control technology as well as 
       cutting-edge motor and motor controller products. The net 
       result: a more efficient truck using less fuel and cutting 
       emission. It's also the quietest Big Rig you'll never hear!

PROJECT SPONSORS:

       California Air Resources Board, California Office of Strategic
       Technology, South Coast Air Quality Management District, 
       Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S. Army -- 
       Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM).

PROJECT PARTNERS: 

       ISE Research Corp.; WestStart-CALSTART; Kenworth Truck Co.; 
       Peterbilt Motors Co.; San Diego Regional Technology Alliance; 
       University of California, Riverside.