Volvo Trucks North America has unveiled a SuperTruck demonstrator that has achieved a freight efficiency improvement of 88 percent – and solar power gets a look-in on the high-tech vehicle.
Volvo began the SuperTruck project five years ago after the U.S. Department of Energy set a challenge to build a truck that improves freight efficiency by 50 percent.
Volvo’s efforts exceeded that goal, and also resulted in a truck with a fuel efficiency improvement of 70 percent. The company says SuperTruck gets better than 12 miles per gallon, with some test runs demonstrating more than 13 miles per gallon.
The truck was basically redesigned from the ground up, taking a holistic approach of systems working with one another.
Redesigning the chassis using aluminium as the main material contributed to an overall tractor-trailer weight reduction of nearly 1.5 tonnes. The entire roof, hood and side fairings are comprised of lightweight carbon fiber materials.
Contributing to efficiency are aerodynamic trailer add-on fairings that lower weight and minimise drag. The material in the fairings can be recycled and used to make new aero devices.
On top of the cab are solar panels, charging SuperTruck’s battery and powering interior lighting.
Volvo says a crucial element of overall efficiency gains is the downsized 11-litre Volvo engine featuring advanced fuel injection, cooling, oil and turbo-charging systems, plus new ‘wave’ pistons and other technology tweaks. Powertrain brake thermal efficiency reaches 50 percent in the SuperTruck.
“The order of magnitude efficiency leap achieved by our SuperTruck is a testament to the outstanding work done by our team and our partners,” stated Pascal Amar, who is principal investigator for the project.
Some of the new technology developed will appear in Volvo trucks destined for the general market next year, other improvements will be some years off.
As with any new development worth its salt, Volvo’s project is accompanied by a glitzy video complete with dramatic music, which we present for your viewing enjoyment.
You can learn more about the Volvo SuperTruck here.
Other companies are investigating getting rid of combustion engines altogether. We reported earlier this year Minnesota’s Freedom Trucking was using lithium-ion battery systems in its fully electric interstate truck. Combined with wind or solar powered recharging stations, this could result emissions-free trucking.
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