Excerpt

“Gates Partners with Czero™ on Hydraulic Hybrid Retrofit System

Czero, Inc.™ is a Colorado-based engineering services and products company. With a little help from Gates, they are currently developing a hydraulic hybrid retrofit kit for heavy-duty trucks.

Hydraulic hybrid systems recover energy normally wasted when a vehicle is braking. They are used in conjunction with conventional engines to reduce fuel consumption. Czero's prototype system is designed for retrofitting class 7 and 8 trucks, such as garbage trucks, city buses and delivery trucks.

These commercial vehicles are subject to frequent stop/start operations. The hydraulic hybrid system stores the truck's braking energy and releases it when the truck starts up again, saving on fuel and reducing wear on the braking system. Czero estimates fuel savings between 15–30 percent, and payback periods between 2–3 years.

Gates contributed to the design of this energy-saving hydraulic hybrid retrofit system, providing engineering support and port-to-port hydraulics for maximum efficiency and reliability.

Czero is working in conjunction with Colorado State University's Engines and Conversions Laboratory, in addition to local and national businesses like Gates. Their second prototype system is operational and currently being tested. Plans are to commercialize the product first for domestic markets, and later for the international marketplace.”