Lightning Hybrids, a designer and manufacturer of the hydraulic hybrid ERS (Energy Recovery System) for medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles, has been named 2016 Cleantech Breakout Company by the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association (CCIA).
The Loveland, Colo.-based company was recognized for expanding the adoption of clean-vehicle technologies that save fuel and reduce vehicle emissions. Lightning Hybrids also was honored for its leadership in advancing cleantech job creation, successful fundraising efforts, company growth, innovation, and ability to scale technology. Winners in various cleantech categories were announced last night at the Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration.
“We’re thrilled to be recognized as a Breakout Cleantech Company,” said Tim Reeser, CEO of Lightning Hybrids. “CCIA is dedicated to driving the expansion of innovative clean technologies and has been instrumental in improving the cleantech infrastructure here in Colorado. This award is validation of our team’s hard work, talent, and ingenuity. This is for them and our investors for their commitment to high-tech vehicle technologies and clean air solutions for our fleet customers and their communities.”
United Parcel Service recently placed 50 of Lightning Hybrids’ units in its Chicago fleet in time for the holiday rush. The hydraulic-hybrid maker’s other recent customer orders include: Kiessling Transit of Norfolk, Mass. (which doubled the size of its hydraulic-hybrid green fleet to 70 vehicles); the U.S. DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo.; Denali National Park in Alaska; and Peapod, the largest internet grocer in the U.S.
“Lightning Hybrids has momentum in the marketplace, and it’s a fast-growing international company,” said Christine Shapard, executive director of CCIA. “Their clean technology has been proven to save fuel, reduce emissions and improve vehicle performance. It has been exciting to watch the company develop and deploy such a game-changing technology around the world. It is an honor to award Lightning the Breakout Cleantech Company of 2016.”
The system from Lightning Hybrids is a patented, parallel hydraulic hybrid system that has no electric batteries. Instead, it applies a hydraulic system to the driveline of a vehicle to regenerate braking energy. Hydraulic pumps and a lightweight accumulator brake the vehicle, store the braking energy, and then use that stored energy to provide power to the wheels. In doing so fuel is saved and harmful emissions are cut.
Lightning Hybrids
www.lightninghybrids.com
Colorado Cleantech Industries Association
www.coloradocleantech.com
