Now available through July 31, 2009, the program allows fleets to purchase four retrofit kits, for any axle combination — TN/TQ, TP, WP, HP, HN, HQ — and get a fifth kit at no charge. The entire product and labor cost of the MTIS retrofit can be financed by Wirth Financial.
“It makes good business sense that fleet operators install the MTIS and realize on-going savings due to better fuel economy, improved tire wear characteristics and tire retreadability, and elimination of costs associated with manually checking tire pressures,” said Larry Burgin, vice-president and general manager, trailer products at ArvinMeritor. “Achieving an immediate 20% savings on the cost of the Meritor Tire Inflation System translates to a significant payback in roughly 12 months or less.”
To assist fleets in calculating their own Return on Investment and expected savings based on their specific operation, a free MTIS Savings Calculator wheel is available. For the calculator, more product information or financing details from Wirth Financial, contact an ArvinMeritor district manager or call 800-535-5560.
Hybrid power
ArvinMeritor also called attention to its hybrid power test program with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The program involves a prototype heavy-duty truck equipped with the first Meritor diesel-electric drivetrain. Results to date have been very positive, according to ArvinMeritor officials.
“While most hybrid systems today are best suited for start-stop applications, our hybrid drivetrain is specifically designed for linehaul, over-the-road trucks, the largest segment of the commercial vehicle population,” said Carsten J Reinhardt, president of ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) business.
The Meritor dual-mode hybrid drivetrain combines both mechanical and electrical propulsion systems. Under 48 miles-per-hour, vehicle propulsion is delivered entirely through an electric motor with power from lithium ion batteries. These batteries are recharged through regenerative braking and/or an engine-driven generator. As the vehicle approaches highway speed, the drivetrain phases to a diesel-powered system with the electric motor providing power, only as required, allowing for total system optimization.
A key feature of this system is its ability for zero-emission mode over a wide range of vehicle driving conditions. This allows the truck to operate in places where emissions are restricted, like a port or urban area. Additionally, the batteries provide continuous power for hotel loads during an overnight rest period, eliminating the need for engine idling or other redundant anti-idling systems. Electrification of accessories such as the air or AC compressors provides further efficiency benefits.
The Meritor hybrid drivetrain was developed in collaboration with Navistar and Cummins and is comprised of a proprietary motor/generator unit, high capacity lithium ion batteries, as well as the overall power-management system. Also outfitted on the Wal-Mart tractor are a Meritor tandem drive axle, and an advanced MeritorWABCO anti-lock braking system with integrated stability control and driver assistance systems.