Dometic's air conditioning systems are now available as factory-installed options on Peterbilt Model 386 Hybrid Electric (HE) trucks, according to the OEM.

The diesel-electric hybrids, developed with Eaton Corp., will offer Dometic's 7,000-BTU system, which includes an external condensing unit and compact compressor/evaporator/blower unit.  The system, powered by lithium ion batteries in the Eaton electric drive system, includes reusable pre-charged refrigerant line sets on both the inside and outside units.

"The system being deployed on the Peterbilt 386 hybrids is not a bunk cooler, but a high-capacity 7,000-BTU air conditioning system designed to cool the entire space under high ambient temperature conditions," said Lou Siegel, senior vp of Dometic Automotive. "Our engineering team has worked closely with Peterbilt to develop an integrated solution that works smoothly with the Eaton hybrid electric drive system."

Peterbilt's 386 HE's engine recovers energy normally lost during braking, stores it in the system's batteries, and then uses it to provide torque to the driveline to improve vehicle performance-- either by operating the engine in a more fuel-efficient range or by running on electric power alone.

The Dometic system also improves fuel efficiency and lowers emissions by powering the heating, air conditioning and vehicle electrical systems while the engine is off.