Denali National Park Explores Use of Hybrid Buses
It makes perfect sense that our national parks go increasingly green. So, that’s why it was so exciting to learn that Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, centered on Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the highest mountain in North America, has taken delivery of its first two hydraulic hybrid vehicles from Colorado-based Lightning Hybrids.
The shuttle buses, one a Chevrolet model and the other Freightliner, will transport park visitors along the 14-mile paved section of the scenic 92-mile long Denali Park Road at the entrance to the park. The road is the only road in the 6-million-acre park. It runs parallel to the Alaska Range and travels through low valleys and high-mountain passes.
Noted David Brosky, vice president for sales of Lightning Hybrids “Our hydraulic hybrid systems work well in harsh environments, and will help the park service to r,educe emissions and save fuel.”
The system from Lightning Hybrids is a patented, parallel hydraulic hybrid system that has no electric batteries. Instead, it applies a hydraulic system to the driveline of a vehicle to regenerate braking energy. Hydraulic pumps and a lightweight accumulator brake the vehicle, store the braking energy, and then use that stored energy to provide power to the wheels. In doing so fuel is saved and harmful emissions are cut.
An executive order issued by the White House in March 2015 (Executive Order 13693, titled “Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade”) calls for tougher goals for renewable energy in federal buildings and fleets.
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