A new hybrid vehicle is helping to keep the streets of New York City clean.It features a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel in addition to two 12-volt lithium-ion batteries and an electric-traction drive system. With the setup, Allianz estimates a 40 to 45 percent fuel savings over a diesel-only sweeper.
As a sweeper needs to propel itself and spin a broom at the same time, the differential is set up to turn the broom at a constant speed, regardless of the speed of the sweeper. Since the sweeping functions are handled by electric motors in the Allianz, the sweeper is able to operate a smaller single diesel engine running at reduced RPMs. Moreover, the reduced fuel consumption reduces emissions for clearer air.
