Chrysler and EPA Partner to Bring Hydraulic Hybrid Technology to Light-Duty Vehicles

WASHINGTON - The U.S. EPA and Chrysler have signed an agreement to develop and adapt hydraulic hybrid technology for large passenger cars and other light-duty vehicles. The automaker’s and the EPA’s goal is to design a Chrysler Town & Country minivan as a demonstration vehicle, using the patented technology developed by the EPA, and test the vehicle in 2012.

by Staff

January 20, 2011

2 min to read

WASHINGTON - The U.S. EPA and Chrysler have signed an agreement to develop and adapt hydraulic hybrid technology for large passenger cars and other light-duty vehicles. The automaker’s and the EPA’s goal is to design a Chrysler Town & Country minivan as a demonstration vehicle, using the patented technology developed by the EPA, and test the vehicle in 2012.

The EPA said it anticipates that use of this technology in light-duty vehicles will increase overall fuel efficiency by 30-35 percent, 60 percent city driving, and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent.

Chrysler stated the research project will focus on adapting the hydraulic hybrid system to a Chrysler Town & Country minivan equipped with a 2.4-liter, inline four-cylinder gasoline engine. EPA said a joint engineering team will design and integrate the hydraulic hybrid system into the minivan. The minivan will feature a unique powertrain that replaces the automatic transmission, EPA stated.

Components of the hydraulic hybrid system include a 117 cc engine pump, a 45 cc drive electric motor and a two-speed automatic transmission. Fluid for the system will be stored in a 14.4-gallon high pressure accumulator.

The hydraulic hybrid system captures and reuses the energy lost in braking through a hydraulic pressure vessel. According to Chrysler, the system produces power with engine torque driving a hydraulic pump that charges the high pressure accumulator of up to 5,000 p.s.i. The high-pressure accumulator delivers the pressure energy to the axle hydraulic motor, giving the vehicle power to drive the wheels. The gas engine will remain off if the accumulator charge is sufficient to drive the motor.

EPA’s work for this project will take place at the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. Other engineering partners working on this project include FEV of America, Inc. of Auburn Hills, Michigan and Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas and Ann Arbor.

More information on the hydraulic hybrid system is available at epa.gov/otaq/technology.

Topics:EPA Minivans Chrysler Operations Green Fleet

More Green Fleet

Rendering of electric vehicles charging beneath a solar-panel canopy, illustrating Inspiration Mobility Group’s acquisition of Electrada assets to expand commercial fleet electrification services.

Green Fleet•by News/Media Release•June 17, 2026

Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets

Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.