Eco Factor: Fuel-efficient hybrid sweeper uses electric motors to reduce engine load.
With a fuel-efficient 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine, the Allianz 4000 is a new hybrid sweeper that is being touted to be the first in the world. The Allianz 4000 has a top speed of about 60mph and uses two 12-volt lithium-ion batteries and an electric-traction drive system. The company is confident that the hybrid setup allows the Allianz 4000 to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 45 percent over a diesel-only counterpart.
As a sweeper needs to propel itself and spin a broom at the same time, the differential is set up to turn the broom at a constant speed, regardless of the speed of the sweeper. Since the sweeping functions are handled by electric motors in the Allianz, the sweeper is able to operate a smaller single diesel engine running at reduced RPMs. Moreover, the reduced fuel consumption reduces emissions for clearer air.
