BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--XL Hybrids, Inc., the leader in fleet electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets, today announced the successful installation of its XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System in the fleet of Watkins Heating & Cooling, a family-owned and operated HVAC service company headquartered in Springboro, Ohio. Watkins will convert four more General Motors vans this year using XL Hybrids’ technology and plans to replace its entire 15-vehicle fleet with hybrids in the coming years.
“The Watkins Heating and Cooling fleet is a great application for the XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System,” said Clay Siegert, XL Hybrids’ co-founder and vice president. “Watkins’ service technicians drive in and around neighborhoods carrying heavy equipment. Their service routes involve lots of stop and go driving, which enables the customer to take better advantage of the XL3’s regenerative braking and reduce fuel consumption.”
The XL3 saves fuel through regenerative braking, a process by which the electric motor helps slow the vehicle when the driver brakes, charging the battery. When the driver accelerates, the battery releases the energy to the electric motor, helping propel the vehicle.
“We anticipate getting a positive return on our investment in the XL3 hybrid system in just over two years because we’re seeing thirty to thirty-five percent improvement in fuel efficiency,” said David Watkins, vice president of Watkins Heating & Cooling. “Plus, with XL Hybrids’ powertrain, we anticipate saving our service technicians about 20 gas fill-ups a year. In addition to cutting fuel costs, our technicians have more time to focus on customer service, while minimizing time on refueling the van. Improving the efficiency of our revenue producers is the main reason we are planning to transition our entire fleet to hybrid electric as we replace older fleet vehicles.”
Watkins was recognized with the Green Business of the Year Award by the Springboro Chamber of Commerce due to its investment in XL Hybrids’ hybrid electric technology. Another major sustainability initiative for Watkins is its 18kW photovoltaic system on the roof of its Springboro office. During the peak of a typical summer day, the system supplies 200 percent of the electricity needs of Watkins’ office and warehouse and sends the excess to the grid to be used in neighboring homes.
The XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System has a quick adoption rate because it requires no driver training and no special plugs, charging or fueling infrastructure.
Special financing options through Priority One Financial Services, Inc. allow XL Hybrids’ customers to retrofit current fleet vehicles and pay for the hybrid system over time. Customers can also refinance their existing vehicles or order new vans and buses with the XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System.
For more information on XL Hybrids’ technology and availability, visit www.xlhybrids.com or email info@xlhybrids.com.
About XL Hybrids
XL Hybrids is the leader in fleet electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets, with technology that delivers a 25 percent increase in miles per gallon and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Recognized as one of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2014, XL Hybrids supports customers such as The Coca-Cola Company and FedEx. The award-winning XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System is a revolutionarily simple solution that helps commercial and municipal fleets lower operating costs and meet sustainability goals. Compatible with new and existing Class 2 to 6 commercial fleet vehicles, the XL3 system can be installed in less than six hours. It works seamlessly in the background with zero impact on fleet operations or service, and no driver training or infrastructure requirements. XL Hybrids was founded by MIT alumni and is based in Boston. For more information, visit www.xlhybrids.com or on Twitter @XLHybrids.
