Azure Dynamics doesn't make the world's flashiest hybrids, but the company's Balance Hybrid Electric system built into Ford E450 chassis are regularly sold to utilities and other fleet operators. The latest order, for three such vehicles, comes from Con Edison of New York. According to Azure, the gasoline-electric hybrids boost fuel economy by up to 40 percent compared to non-hybrid versions of these large trucks. They also emit up to 30 percent less carbon (in city conditions). As we well know, hybrids shine in urban use because of the constant starts and stops, and these trucks can also run on battery power at speeds of up to 20 mph. Thanks to the regenerative brakes, the Balance system reduces brake maintenance by up to 75 percent, Azure says.

[Source: Azure Dynamics Corporation]

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation likes what it sees in hybrid buses from Azure Dynamics. PennDOT placed an order for 10 eighteen-passenger Azure/StarTrans Hybrid Para-transit Citibus vehicles and may order 15 more in the future. The PennDOT hybrids will have a few specific abilities, including "engine-off driving while electronically supporting key ancillary functions like air conditioning, power steering and braking," according to Azure's announcement of the sale (available after the jump). Considering that the hybrid system with the GM Vortec 4.8L engine that powers the bus is more fuel efficient (by 40 percent) and requires much less maintenance than similar, conventionally-equipped buses, they give Governor Ed Rendell another chance to talk up his state's energy saving plans. No delivery date was given, but the hybrids will be used in York County when they are ready.

[Source: Azure Dynamics Corporation]

Utilmaster, the company that makes the trucks that deliver your packages, uniforms and potato chips, has taken note of the price its customers are paying for gas and is following up on a memorandum of understanding it struck last August with hybrid power train developer Azure Dynamics. Yes, pen has been put to paper and a supply contract has been signed. Scott Harrison, Azure's Chief Executive Officer, said in a press release issued by the company, that since the announcement of the original memorandum, "significant progress has been made by both parties to reach production readiness." Or, in other words, each of the involved party's aqua-loving fowl have been nudged and prodded into a linear column. Now, let the hybrid building begin!

At its plant in Wakarusa, Indiana, Utilmaster will integrate chocolate Ford E-Series commercial chassis with Azures peanut butter P1 hybrid electric power trains resulting in yummy goodness more efficient, cleaner vehicles that will help us all breath a little easier and also save the end user a huge fuel bill. Details of the exact numbers of vehicles has not yet been disclosed but let's hope it's a lot since these commercial fleet vehicles are responsible for a large portion of pollution in our cities.

Press release from Azure Dynamics after the jump.

Related

• Florida Power and Light to test Azure Dynamics hybrid shuttle
• Azure Dynamics series hybrid bus completes US government tests
• Azure Dynamics sending another Ford E-450 hybrid to a "major" company fleet

Azure Dynamics announced this week that it will deliver one of their Ford E-450 parallel hybrids vans to a "major fleet." Which company will get the van is unsaid at this point, but it is a North American company that will use the hybrid for "industry viability validation, testing and demonstration." Should the tests work out, the company will become a "lead customer for Azure's hybrid technology on the Ford E-450 chassis with a minimum commitment of 10 percent of their fleet replacement purchases per annum," according to Azure's very safely-written press release.

Most recently, Azure sent E-450s to Purolator.

[Source: Azure Dynamics Corporation]

It's not only hydrogen-powered Ford E-450s that the Canadian government is into. Thanks to a recent funding announcement to help businesses become more environmentally friendly, Ontario will invest $15 million (Canadian) in a pilot project. As part of this project, Purolator, Canada's largest courier company, decided to order itself some more of Azure Dynamics' E-450 hybrid vans.

Purolator has been using hybrid E-450s since the first batch arrived from Azure after a September 2005 order. The order was increased in 2006 and 2007, and Purolator is now using or is due 105 hybrid Ford E-450s. Azure says it'll deliver the rest by the end of 2008. Purolator's president and CEO, Robert Johnson, said in a statement that his company has been using hybrids (more than just the E-450s) in its deliver fleet since 2005, and has "logged more than 333,000 kilometres, saving almost 60,000 litres of fuel and preventing the emission of over 150 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions."

[Source: Azure Dynamics Corporation]