BENTONVILLE, Ark. --- The nation's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart, is partnering with auto component supplier ArvinMeritor to develop a diesel-electric hybrid truck. According to a report from Financial Times, the companies have agreed to develop a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 truck tractor truck. This vehicle will be based on an International ProStar tractor and powered by a Cummins engine. The planned dual-mode units will use electric motors powered by batteries to supplement the diesel engine power during acceleration and hill climbing. Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott previously announced that the company intended to improve the efficiency of its 7,000-truck fleet by 25 percent by 2008.
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