Making sense of HYBRIDS

Developers focus on applications that boost productivity while they strive to improve the efficiency of alternative power sources.

In contrast to the automotive market, where battery-powered hybrids are the dominant alternative to internal-combustion engines, multiple powertrain options are vying to gain acceptance in the off-highway market. Hydraulics, flywheels, and batteries are all being used to power various elements on vehicles.

Off-highway vendors have learned from automakers, who spent millions and rolled out several hybrid vehicles that have not yet come close to hitting double-digit market shares. Off-highway development teams are focusing in on applications where alternative powertrains bring solid benefits that users will pay for. Design teams are targeting specific tasks that are well-suited to the performance characteristics of their technologies.