Allison Transmission has partnered with Project ETHOS, an ultra-low carbon powertrain program created by Cummins, to launch a new stop-start technology.
The Project ETHOS is aims to demonstrate the potential of alternative fuels for carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions in medium-duty commercial vehicles.
Cummins and the California Energy Commission have together developed an engine, which is powered by E85, a high-octane blend of ethanol and gasoline, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
The ETHOS 2.8L engine is equipped with an Allison 2000 Series fully automatic transmission that incorporates stop-start for further emissions reduction.
The integrated stop-start shuts down the engine when an operator presses the brake pedal and the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
The transmission remains in drive and locks the output to help prevent vehicle rollback by using an electric pump.
When the driver's releases the brake, the system automatically starts the engine to allow acceleration.
Allison Transmission product engineering vice president Randall Kirk said: "We have utilized stop-start technology in our hybrid systems for many years and have been pleased to work with long-time collaborator Cummins on this new powertrain concept.
"Integrated stop-start is an exciting development that represents the natural evolvement of our product technology."