Autocar LLC is introducing its new E3 Advanced Series Hybrid cab/chassis for refuse trucks at Waste Expo 2011 this week. It’s a Class 8 hybrid capable of reducing fuel consumption by 30% to 50%, with typical savings around 45%.

That fuel economy benefit translates into a savings of 4,500 gallons of diesel fuel per year for an average refuse application, with a corresponding annual carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction of some 50 tons per truck, noted Tom Vatter, Autocar’s vp-sales and marketing

Autocar’s partner-supplier Parker Hannifin developed the Runwise hybrid module that replaces the vehicles’ traditional automatic transmission in the E3 model, Vatter added. In addition to fuel savings, the E3 hybrid should also help refuse fleets realize a dramatic reduction in brake wear and reduced operational noise, he said.