Allison Transmission recently showcased its latest innovations at Ecomondo, an event held in Turin, Italy.

These advancements include a comprehensive range of fully electric axles and fuel-agnostic transmissions aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions in various sectors, including sanitation, municipal services, waste collection, and firefighting.

Innovations in transmission technology

The company displayed its 3000 Series transmission, ideal for vehicles with engines up to 276 kilowatts (370 horsepower).

This transmission is widely used in the municipal and waste collection sectors, showcasing Allison’s commitment to diverse applications.

Trond Johansen, Allison’s EMEA Sales Manager, emphasised the transmission’s reliability and improved total cost of ownership (TCO) as key factors for its popularity among municipal services companies.

Proven efficiency and reduced operational costs

Allison’s improved TCO has been validated through several field trials.

A notable example is the recent agreement with France’s third-largest private waste collection company, Poly-Environement, part of the Derichenbourg Group.

Comparative fuel economy tests were conducted between vehicles equipped with automated manual transmissions (AMT) and those with Allison’s fully automatic transmissions.

The results showed a two percent cost reduction in TCO for Allison transmissions over a three-year period.

Simone Pace, Italy Sales Manager, Allison, highlighted the company’s exceptional productivity in heavy-duty applications and urban cycles, making it the preferred choice for large waste collection fleets in Italy.

Advanced fuel economy and emission reduction technologies

Allison has focused on developing solutions to enhance fuel economy without compromising productivity.

The xFE (extra fuel economy) technology, combined with FuelSense 2.0, offers up to 6 percent fuel savings.

This innovation provides a balance between fuel efficiency and performance, particularly beneficial for vehicles in waste collection and street cleaning.

Recently, the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg in France adopted Allison transmissions to lower emissions, aligning with the implementation of the Low-Emission Zone (LEZ).

This move signifies a significant investment in renewing the city’s refuse collection fleet, with plans to continue the upgrade until 2025.

Transition to electrification with eGen Power axles

Aligning with the commercial vehicle industry’s shift towards electrification, Allison has expanded its lineup to include electric propulsion solutions.

The eGen Power 130S, designed for heavier commercial vehicles, offers significant power and torque, supporting the industry’s move towards sustainable transportation.

The eGen Power 100S, a single-motor variant, and the eGen Power 85S, recently integrated into the fully electric Isuzu Novo VOLT bus, further demonstrate Allison’s commitment to electrification.

Applications for fire trucks

These developments hold significant implications for fire trucks, which require reliable, high-performance transmissions capable of handling demanding environments.

Allison’s transmissions, especially the 3000 Series, are well-suited for fire and emergency vehicles, offering durability, efficiency, and reduced operational costs.

The move towards electrification, with products like the eGen Power axles, presents new opportunities for fire trucks to become more environmentally friendly while maintaining their critical performance standards.

IFSJ Comment

Allison Transmission’s latest offerings at Ecomondo highlight the company’s continuous innovation in the field of transmission technology, particularly in the context of sustainability and efficiency.

These developments are not only crucial for the sanitation and waste collection sectors but also have significant implications for the fire and emergency services.

The integration of electric axles and fuel-efficient technologies aligns with the global shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.

These advancements could lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible fire trucks, ultimately enhancing the capabilities and sustainability of fire and emergency services worldwide.