Ford Qualifies Lightning Hybrids as Vehicle Modifier for Fleet Vehicles
Lightning Hybrids, designer and manufacturer of the Energy Recovery System (ERS) for medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles, has been named as an Advanced Fuel Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) by Ford Motor Company.
Lightning Hybrids is one of three initial vehicle modifiers, and the only hydraulic hybrid manufacturer, in the new eQVM program.
The program was unveiled recently at The Work Truck Show.
“For commercial and government fleets working to save fuel and substantially reduce emissions, our ERS technology is a compelling option for all of Ford’s medium and heavy duty platforms, backed by the peace of mind offered by Ford’s eQVM program,” said Tim Reeser, CEO of Lightning Hybrids. “Our system reduces NOx emissions by half and CO2 emissions by 25 percent compared to vehicles without it, and fleets see a quick return on investment.”
The ERS is a patented, parallel hydraulic hybrid system with no electric batteries. Instead, 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 reduced.
The ERS can be installed on new vehicles, as well as retrofitted on vehicles already in service. It is sold through a network of dealers and upfitters.
QVM is Ford’s quality recognition given to aftermarket adaptive equipment installers that meet manufacturing guidelines and best practices.
The alignment with Ford follows an announcement in the fall of 2016 when United Parcel Service placed 50 of Lightning Hybrids’ units in its Chicago fleet. In addition, Kiessling Transit, a Massachusetts-based paratransit bus company, recently doubled the size of its hydraulic hybrid green fleet to 70 vehicles. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo. and Denali National Park in Alaska also operate vehicles with Lightning Hybrids system.
More at: www.lightninghybrids.com.
Category: Featured
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