The hybrid powerpack supplied by MTU stores energy from regenerative braking in batteries which is subsequently used during operation. The aim of the project is to reduce CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption by up to 25%.
The German Ministry for Transport has provided finance for the hybrid development project under its Electromobility Model Region project which is coordinated by the National Organisation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology. At innoTrans in 2010, the Federal Ministry of Transport presented DB and MTU with a €1.9bn grant to develop hybrid drive systems.
"Once the hybrid system has established itself and is ready for series production, hundreds of these power cars could be converted to diesel-electric drive with energy storage in Germany thus contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases and lowering energy costs," says German state secretary Mr Rainer Bomba.
