The first-ever hydraulic hybrid diesel urban delivery vehicle has been unveiled in the USA.

If the evaluation of the vehicle proves successful, it could bring fuel cell technology to a new sector of the automotive market.

The development of the hydraulic hybrid is the result of a multi-company partnership including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and delivery firm UPS.

According to the EPA, technology used in the vehicle has the potential to dramatically improve the fuel economy of urban vehicles used in many applications such as package delivery, shuttle and transit buses and refuse pick-up.

It has already been tested in the laboratory, where the EPA's patented hydraulic hybrid diesel technology achieved a 60 to 70 per cent improvement in fuel economy and more than a 40 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, compared to a conventional UPS delivery vehicle.

"The diesel hydraulic hybrid concept has the potential to offer our truck customers something very unique - performance and near zero emissions with dramatic improvements in fuel economy," said Dee Kapur, International president of Truck Group, a company involved in the project.

The hybrid truck will be tested for several months, making daily trips in the Detroit area.

Previously, UPS partnered with the EPA on its current hydrogen fuel cell delivery vehicles, which have been part of its fleet since 2003.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd