Hydraulic Hybrid Systems for Commercial Vehicles

In times of high oil prices, fuel-saving technologies in vehicle drive systems become increasingly attractive. Gathering considerable attention are the current activities in the field of hybrid drives. The impetus behind the introduction of hybrid drive systems are increasing fuel costs and increasing environmental awareness due to emissions legislation. Recovery of the brake energy through a Hydrostatic Regenerative Brake System, HRB, is particularly interesting for vehicles which operate in intensive stop/go cycles. Even in the area of commercial vehicles, manufacturers have been working on hybrid drives for urban buses for a considerable time.