GTA Member Profile

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation Company Overview
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) manufactures premium chassis for the motorhome, delivery walk-in van, and school bus and shuttle bus markets. FCCC is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company. FCCC is considered an industry leader in engineering and manufacturing chassis is steadfastly committed to designing and engineering alternative-fuel products that reduce the carbon footprint and bring ROI to the companies that purchase them. The company also was the first within the industry to reach Zero Waste to Landfill status.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation Executive Summary
FCCC, the leader in engineering and manufacturing chassis for the diesel walk-in van (WIV) market, remains steadfastly committed to designing and engineering alternative-fuel products that reduce the carbon footprint and bring ROI to the companies that purchase them.

FCCC’s commitment to green technology is in line with the focus of its parent company, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) LLC, which has a long history of providing innovative technologies benefitting customers and the environment. Daimler’s global initiative, “Shaping Future Transportation,” launched in Stuttgart, Germany, in 2007, is focused on reducing category emissions pollutants, carbon dioxide and fuel consumption.

Most notably, FCCC was the first chassis manufacturer to introduce an all-electric WIV and hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) chassis to the industry. Built of lightweight, durable composites that are completely recyclable, the cab interior features is automotive in style, maximizing driver comfort and productivity. The chassis boasts a GVWR of 14,000 to 19,500 lbs. The durable steel straight-rail chassis frame reduces flex and bowing to minimize stress while carrying heavy payloads. The quiet operation of the MT-Ecell also makes for an enjoyable driver experience. The flat-leaf spring front and rear suspension, allows for a smooth, solid ride that minimizes cargo shifts on uneven road surfaces.

The MT-Ecell all-electric chassis utilizes Enova Systems’ 120kW all-electric drive system technology. Powered by Tesla Motors’ lithium-ion batteries, the chassis is 100 percent electric, including its HVAC system, making it the only fully featured WIV chassis in the industry to be completely electrically powered.

As the first chassis manufacturer to bring hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) into fleet operations, FCCC has seen the real-world benefits these products afford customers – namely, cost savings in both fuel and repair and maintenance.

The hybrid-electric powertrain on FCCC’s MT-45 and MT-55 chassis, which combines a diesel engine with an electric motor, has achieved up to a 40 percent improvement in fuel economy and reduced emissions by up to 90 percent compared with non-hybrid vehicles. That fuel savings results in a significant impact upon the customers’ bottom lines.

Aside from improved fuel efficiency, the HEV chassis has numerous additional benefits. Regenerative braking allows energy created by depressing the brakes to be reused rather than burned off, reducing wasted fuel and brake wear and tear. The HEV’s electric motor uses electricity to create torque, while also being able to reverse the process to use torque to create electricity. By reversing its electric motor to become a generator, electricity is fed back into the batteries, resulting in energy savings.

FCCC also designed a hydraulic hybrid WIV. Built on the FCCC MT-55 chassis, the hydraulic hybrid system stores energy during the braking process in an accumulator. The energy stored in the accumulator is then used to accelerate the vehicle on the next launch. Upon reacceleration, the engine utilizes the energy stored in the accumulator and once depleted, the engine becomes reengaged. The advanced engine-off feature allows the engine to turn off while idling at a stop. The engine only restarts when the energy stored in the accumulator is depleted.

For more information, visit:
www.freightlinerchassis.com
http://freightlinerchassis.com/Walk-In-Van-Chassis/walk-in-van-chassis/menu-id-83.html

Moving the green truck industry forward!
©2012 Green Truck Association| Site Map | Advertising Opportunities | 1-800-441-6832 | gtainfo@ntea.com