International Tests Hybrid

International Truck and Engine Corp. has built a small fleet of diesel-electric hybrid Class 6 utility trucks, and they are poised for real-world testing.

International, the operating subsidiary of Navistar International Corp., has built 24 prototypes at its Springfield, OH, plant. They will be delivered to 13 U.S. fleet customers and Hydro Quebec in Quebec, Canada.

Deliveries start in November for a year of road testing.

The fleet customers pay the cost of a conventional utility truck, with the government subsidizing the additional cost of the hybrid system that mates diesel engines to an electric motor from Eaton Corp.

After one year, the customers can elect to have their trucks returned to conventional diesel power, or choose to have them continue as hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), updated with the latest technology.

The hope is the experience will be positive, and International will be building HEVs for production in 2007 or 2008.