Charlotte show to feature cleaner trucks

The conference will spotlight trucks like this natural-gas powered one made at Freightliner's Mount Holly Plant

Transportation conference to spotlight hybrid trucks, plans for “clean truck future”

Right after the Democrats leave town in September, proponents of energy-efficient trucks will fill the Charlotte Convention Center and even spend a day test-driving new products at the zMax Dragstrip at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Hybrid, Electric and Advanced Truck Users National Conference and Expo takes place September 18-20 and will focus on expanding commercial and military fleet knowledge of clean, fuel-saving trucks and buses now built in the United States, including advanced hybrid and electric vehicles.

“This year’s HTUF conference will offer specific, concrete pathways forward to a clean truck future, with the unveiling of a groundbreaking national roadmap,” said John Boesel, CEO and President CALSTART, the event’s organizer.

Annually, the conference draws hundreds of attendees representing fleets, truck makers, technology leaders and military and government officials. Attendees are able to kick the tires of the world’s most advanced medium- and heavy-duty vehicles available today, take an active role in growing clean tech jobs, and reduce petroleum consumption in the United States.
Attendees will be treated to a taste of NASCAR with a gala reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to drive these advanced vehicles on a professional speedway track at Charlotte’s zMax Dragstrip. Over 35 trucks and busses will be on hand, showcasing the performance of hybrid electric, hybrid hydraulic, pure electric and other emerging vehicle technologies.

Several companies with Charlotte operations are helping sponsor show, including Duke Energy and Siemens.

Another company likely to have a big presence is Freightliner. Its Mount Holly plant produces natural gas powered medium-duty trucks. Freightliner offers a variety of trucks including hybrid-electric models that use diesel and electric and allow the trucks to get better mileage in stop-and-go situations such as delivery routes. Freightliner says the dual system greatly reduces diesel idling and can cut fuel consumption up to 60 percent.