MIAMI – Miami-Dade County has ordered 29 Autocar E3 hydraulic hybrid refuse trucks in addition to the ones it was already operating. The County used EPA funds to purchase 15 of the vehicles. These vehicles use Parker Hannifin’s Runwise hydraulic hybrid technology to reduce fuel use by re-using brake energy. In 2011, Miami-Dade County bought six of these refuse trucks.

“We’ve been very pleased with the overall performance of the vehicles with RunWise technology, said Danny Diaz, Director of Fleet Management for the County. “The savings we are seeing is significant when you look at the long-term with these hybrid trucks.”

The Autocar refuse trucks with the hydraulic hybrid system can reduce fuel consumption by 35 – 50%, as the system allows the vehicle to use up to 71% of the energy produced by braking.

Other municipalities using the Autocar include Hialeah, Florida; Miami, Florida; Seymour, Indiana and Austin, Texas, according to Parker Hannifin.