Hybrid Truck to Make Record-Breaking Bid
The attempt to drive the Volvo-built Mean Green faster than 165 mph will take place April 27 in Utah.
Mean Green, billed as the world's fastest hybrid truck, will be driven at Wendover Airfield, Utah, on April 27 in an attempt to reach speeds above 165 mph and beat its own world speed records. The Volvo-built truck is the current record holder in the standing 500 meter, standing kilometer, and flying kilometer international speed standards. Wendover Airfield is 120 miles west of Salt Lake City on I-80.
The truck made its debut last month during the March 21-24 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville. Volvo said its team of hybrid technology experts adapted the hybrid driveline to the chassis requirements of a world-class truck built for speed, and engineers then outfitted Mean Green with a highly tuned Volvo D16 engine and a modified version of Volvo’s automated I-Shift gearbox.
As to why, "technology and innovation are at the core of our business," said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. "Mean Green is a prime example of Volvo's technical capabilities and our continued focus on emerging technologies. Our engineers developed the world's fastest hybrid truck utilizing the same Volvo hybrid drive system powering hundreds of Volvo buses throughout the world, including London's double-decker buses."
"The result is a lightning-speed boost from start-off without any of the customary diesel engine delay," said Boije Ovebrink, the truckj's owner and driver. "It's like a champagne cork but without the sound effects. For the first couple of seconds the truck just makes a slight whistle until the diesel engine, which runs on renewable liquid rosin diesel, starts delivering with explosive force."
The truck produces 2,100 horsepower and nearly 5,000 feet pounds of torque, with 200 horsepower and 885 feet pounds of torque coming from the electric motor. Mean Green is on a North American tour with stops planned at Truck World (April 19-21, Toronto) and the Volvo Ocean Race (May 17-20, Miami).