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HTUF Dialog
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HTUF: Same Acronym, Broader Scope The letters remain the same: HTUF, pronounced “H-Tough”, like the trucks and buses we work with. But HTUF means even more these days – it is the Hybrid, Electric and Advanced Truck Users Forum, matching the expanded role and focus of the program to drive the faster commercialization of highefficiency trucks. HTUF was launched in 2000 by CALSTART in partnership with and under contract to the US Army TARDEC National Automotive Center. The driving force: to commercialize dualuse technologies for mediumand heavy-duty vehicles that provided commercial and military fuel-saving and performance benefits. HTUF developed a multi-year, user driven focus to target barriers to technology, and help drive fleet purchase commitment and industry development in prime
applications. The first opportunities were in hybrids, and HTUF is credited with cutting up to two years from hybrid product development. The launch of hybrids have provided enabling technology for all new capabilities, and with the launch of the E-Truck Task Force HTUF has expanded its role to drive commercial production to include hybrid, electric and other advanced technologies that reduce petroleum consumption, clean the air, and promote energy security. HTUF working groups are the heart of the program, creating early and focused market demand. Working with user fleets to help develop requirements, deploy and test the vehicles has promoted improvements in a way not possible in a typical industry R&D situation. Our fleet partners are in the trenches every day,
“A user focus, combined with industry innovation, remains at the core of the action we drive. But the letters stand for a whole lot more.”
and they understand the need to draw upon new ideas and advancements to change the petroleum paradigm. These users, along with committed and innovative CALSTART member companies working to improve fuel efficiency outside of hybrid technologies, have driven the expansion of the program to include hybrid electric and hybrid hydraulic vehicles, electric and advanced fuelsaving technologies, as well as the integration of CNG, LNG, propane and bio-fuels. But “advanced” technologies don’t stop there: lightweighting, waste heat recovery and telematics are also included. So – keep saying H-Tough! And know that a user focus, combined with industry innovation, remains at the core of the action we drive. But know that the letters stand for a whole lot more.
Vision Motors manufactures the world’s first Class 8 Hydrogen Fuel Cell drayage truck. This truck, operated by TTSI, was displayed at HTUF2011 representing the new expanded HTUF scope.