Volvo's Hybrid Heavy Vehicle Technology

The Volvo Group’s hybrid solution for heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 35%.

The hybrid’s I-SAM comprises a combined start motor, drive engine and generator. It works with an automatic converted mechanical transmission developed within the Volvo Group, an electronic control unit, a conventional diesel engine, and batteries charged by braking energy.

The electric motor and diesel engine are linked in parallel and work together to operate the vehicle and substantially increase the capacity of the hybrid. I-SAM provides sufficient power resources to start and accelerate heavy vehicles to an appropriate speed without assistance from the diesel engine.

The Volvo Group is also participating in the development of a new type of battery, Effpower, which is based on lead-acid technology. Through this new technology, the power output has been doubled, while manufacturing costs for the batteries can be significantly reduced compared with alternatives on the market. With Effpower, the cost efficiency in electrical hybrids can be further enhanced.