Green hybrid tractor

SHEKOU Container Terminal (SCT) and the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology have developed an environmentally-friendly hybrid tow tractor.

It was recently exhibited it at the recent at the ninth China Hi-tech Fair in Shenzhen. The green tractor looks much the same as the conventional ones in appearance but uses electric and diesel mixed power instead of diesel only. It can reduce energy consumption and air pollution emissions by more than 30 per cent and noise by 20 per cent.

According to statistics presented by SCT's vice manager of engineering department Liu Cong, if a tow tractor works 16 hours a day and carries 3.6 30-ton containers an hour, oil consumption is cut down by 30.2 per cent from five to 3.49 litres per hour when using the new machine, hence saving CNY41,400 (US$5,511) every year. Besides, the green machine's air polluting emissions are close to, or even lower than the Euro III standard because its smaller engine.

SCT is promoting a "green terminal" concept and is about to implement ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard to protect the environment and save energy.