The hybrid bus and truck program to cut particulate emissions by 90 percent by AFS Trinity Power Corp. (Seattle, WA) has received an additional $1 million government award, and has become more urgent as evidence mounts that diesel emission particulates may be the number one cause of lung damage in urban areas. The new, flywheel-based hybrid vehicle system is also expected to cut fuel consumption in half.
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) sponsored the $1 million earmark for the flywheel hybrid program. He also initiated the original $1 million appropriation for the AFS Trinity flywheel hybrid project in 2002, and sponsored an additional $1.375 million earmark to continue its development last year. The latest appropriation, which will be provided through WestStart CALSTART, continues that project.
"AFS Trinity is developing a technology with the potential to eliminate the black smoke that trucks and buses emit when they accelerate," Murray said. "Add this to the reduced fuel consumption we can expect from flywheel hybrid vehicles, and this program could produce major health and energy benefits for Washington state and the nation."
