The
11th HTUF Meeting formally showcased its expansion to the Hybrid,
Electric and Advanced Truck Users Forum (HTUF 2011), demonstrating the
new capabilities and market introductions of hybrid, electric and
advanced medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. HTUF partners CALSTART and the
U.S. Army TARDEC-National Automotive Center brought together stellar
business, technology, policy and academic leaders to speed faster
growth. Among the key developments were:
The H in HTUF Expands: Merging Electric and Hybrid Interests and Strategies
This year’s conference had very significant participation, close to
50/50 from hybrid and electric truck manufacturers and suppliers, and
this emphasis will continue moving forward. A comprehensive E-Truck Task
Force session outlined the needs to grow the electric segment.
More Truck Products for Wider Applications
The 2011 Expo Hall grew to 50,000 square feet, up from 12,000 in 2010.
This year’s conference saw a wide range of vehicle systems in or nearing
production featuring pure electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid electric,
hydraulic hybrid, or work-site electrification. Among the vehicles on
display included an Azure plug-in hybrid shuttle bus, the EVI (UPS)
electric delivery van, the Freightliner hybrid electric armored truck,
the Quantum plug-in hybrid pick-up-truck, and the BAE 80,000 lbs GVW
hybrid electric dump truck. The OEMs are listening to their customers
and are continuously improving their hybrid products. Fleets have
signaled their intent to purchase more product given the right value
equation.
More Flexible Funding – at the States
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley unveiled two initiatives for Maryland
truck owners incentivizing the purchase of all-electric heavy-and
medium-duty trucks and idle reduction technologies. New York City
announced it was close to unveiling its clean truck purchase voucher.
And California signaled it is expanding its HVIP voucher to include
lighter commercial e-trucks and work site idle reduction systems. Two
additional changes coming to the program include a new lower weight
class that makes the Transit Connect Electric eligible for funding, and,
in November, school buses will get an additional $10,000 over current
funding levels.
More Help in DC: Need to Work Together to Get It
A bipartisan panel of key Congressional staff observed that while budget
issues dominate, they also noted the advanced truck industry has
support and there still may be hope in 2011 for hybrid and electric
incentives at the federal level – if we get our voices heard. HTAG, the
Hybrid Electric and Advanced Truck Action Group is pursuing this. Made
up of a subset of HTUF members, they advocate for purchase incentives
and industry support. But we need more companies to take part now.
This Baltimore Sun editorial, published during HTUF 2011, highlights the critical role of incentives in driving the early sale of these vehicles.
More Growth: First HTUF Investor Panel Sees “Bullish” Outlook for Sector
This year’s HTUF conference featured one of the nation’s leading clean
energy lenders (Wells Fargo Bank) and a major cleantech investment firm
(Capricorn Investments LLC). The panelists agreed that the movement
toward more efficient commercial vehicles is “inevitable” and that the
pace of technological change and adoption will most likely accelerate
over the next five to 10 years.
More Global: HTUF Success Goes to China
Brad Hess of the U.S. Department of Commerce Market Development
Cooperator Program (MDCP) announced an award to CALSTART for the
development of a U.S.-China Clean Truck Technology Forum. Drawing on
the successes of HTUF, this partnership will connect U.S. truck and bus
clean technology companies with Chinese partners and promote the export
of American vehicle technologies to China.
More Leaders: 2 Prestigious Blue Sky Awards Presented
CALSTART’s prestigious Blue Sky Awards for 2011 honored two leaders:
Coca-Cola was recognized for leadership in having the largest heavy-duty
hybrid electric fleet in North America with more than 650 hybrid
delivery trucks in major U.S. cities; Paul Skalny, Director of the
Army’s TARDEC-National Automotive Center, was singled out for his long
leadership in driving change in advanced military and commercial
vehicles.
More Vehicles: the White House Recognizes HTUF Rides
This year’s Ride and Drive was kicked-off by Gary Guzy, White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) Deputy Director.
WBAL-TV offered a great look at the range of vehicles from hydraulic hybrid refuse trucks to range-extended electric trucks.
More Momentum: Join Us in Charlotte in 2012
Building on the success of the 2011 event, HTUF 2012 will be held next
fall in Charlotte, North Carolina. Look for final dates soon!