Watkins Heating & Cooling, an HVAC services company based in Springboro, Ohio, is converting four of the GM vans in its fleet to incorporate XL Hybrids' XL3 hybrid-electric drive system.
Watkins had already tested the system in its fleet and experienced a 30% miles-per-gallon improvement. The four new conversions will take place this year, with plans to shift the full 15-vehicle fleet to hybrids thereafter.
‘We anticipate getting a positive return on our investment in the XL3 hybrid system in just over two years,’ says David Watkins, vice president of Watkins Heating & Cooling.
‘The Watkins Heating and Cooling fleet is a great application for the XL3,’ adds 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.’
XL Hybrids notes that it offers special financing options through Priority One Financial Services Inc., allowing 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 system.
