ThyssenKrupp Materials France testing hybrid truck

thyssenkruppThyssenKrupp Materials International attaches great importance to environmental protection and sustainability. To minimize oil consumption in the future ThyssenKrupp Materials France is currently testing the use of new hybrid trucks in Paris in a collaboration with Renault Trucks and haulage group Norbert Dentressangle. The 16-ton state-of-the-art Melodys III has a range of 60 kilometers in electric mode and a total range of over 400 kilometers. The tests have been running since June 2013 and are due to be completed in January 2014.

The “rechargeable production hybrid drive” combines a pure electric mode with a hybrid drive system to provide a total range of several hundred kilometers. It allows the truck to carry out deliveries both in zero emission zones, usually in the city center, and in industrial zones on the outskirts of the city, all in a single trip. The vehicle is equipped with a PVI electric drive with 103 kW/400 V electric motor, lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 85 kWh, a DXi 5 diesel engine and a 70 kW generator. The batteries can be recharged in four hours from a three-phase power supply at 380 volts and 64 amps.

The truck carries three to seven meter long steel girders, pallets containing smaller parts, as well as one to three meter long steel plates. “With 500 deliveries a day, transport is one of the central activities in our process chain and our second-biggest cost factor. For us the pilot project is an opportunity to explore whether the use of hybrid trucks is a viable alternative for the future,” says Serge Weber, President of ThyssenKrupp Materials France S.A.S.

Technical features
Renault Midlum electric 16 tons with range extender
– Range in electric mode: approx. 60 km
– Total range: over 400 km
– Charging time: 4 hrs
– Electric motor output: 103 kW
– Lithium-ion battery set (iron phosphate)
Energy on board: 85 kWh
Capacity: 138 Ah/615 V
– Diesel tank capacity: 130 liters
– Payload: 6.5 tons
– Body: Tautliner, equipped with 500 millimeter side walls, sliding tarpaulins
and sliding roof

About ThyssenKrupp
ThyssenKrupp is a diversified technology and materials group based in Essen, Germany. It currently has around 150,000 employees in some 80 countries developing ideas and innovations into solutions for sustainable progress. In fiscal year 2012/2012 ThyssenKrupp generated sales of more than € 39 billion.

ThyssenKrupp Materials France is part of the Materials Services business area and supplies steel and nonferrous metals to the French and European markets. With numerous regional branches and processing centers (cutting, machining, work to drawings) it offers a fast custom service throughout the whole of France. The company also has a metallurgical center offering customers advice and expertise.