Drive Wire For December 19th, 2016: XL Hybrids Brings Efficiency to Large Fleets

They indicate up to 50% improvement in fuel economy.

byMax Goldberg|
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Today on Drive Wire we take a look at an innovative company called XL Hybrids.

Founded in 2009 by a group of MIT grads, XL Hybrids has invented a way to bring hybrid technology to a preexisting gas fleet. Designed for GM and Ford vehicles, XL Hybrids have designed a fairly easy to install hybrid system that can improve fuel economy up to 50 percent.

All parts are installed along the chassis and weigh approximately 350 pounds. Still, by gathering energy from the drivetrain as the vehicle slows down, the hybrid system is able to reduce engine load during acceleration, subsequently improving fuel economy.

According to testing, the XL Hybrid system can save up to $15,000 in fuel over the course of a vehicle’s life.

The system is currently being used in the EMS division of the Seattle Fire Department where they are experiencing a 23 percent improvement in fuel economy.

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