FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Echo Automotive (Scottsdale, Ariz.), won The Work Truck Show 2014 Green Award for its EchoDrive bolt-on hybrid electric kit for fleet vehicles. The award was presented last week during The Work Truck Show 2014 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. This is the second year in a row that EchoDrive was honored at The Work Truck Show: the product won the Editor’s Choice Award for new product innovation at the 2013 event.
The Green Award is given annually to the product at The Work Truck Show that a panel of trade media and fleet manager judges determine best enhances vocational truck fuel utilization.
EchoDrive is a plug-in system that includes an advanced battery, electric motor, inverter and charger. The components work together to provide torque assistance and recover braking energy. While other hybrid systems replace or alter the OEM powertrain, EchoDrive bolts directly to the vehicle. Its non-invasive, cost-effective design saves fuel without affecting the original OEM warranty, according to the company.
Green Award judges praised EchoDrive for offering a complete fuel-saving package that can be easily added to or removed from existing vehicles. Echo-certified technicians can install EchoDrive in four to six hours using existing mounts, keeping vehicle downtime to a minimum.
“The Green Award is significant because it is judged by actual fleet operators who deal with fuel-related issues every day,” said Jason Plotke, chairman and president of Echo Automotive. “The award, plus all the positive feedback we received on the trade show floor, validates that EchoDrive is recognized as a solid solution that can deliver real cost-savings for fleets in a variety of industries.”
Work Truck Show attendees were able to test-drive a Ford E-250 cargo van equipped with EchoDrive during the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive held as part of the show. The Ride-and-Drive offered test-drives on city streets and a closed-access section of the Indianapolis Zoo parking lot, so fleet operators could try sustainable technology vehicles for themselves.
