In 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy challenged Volvo Trucks to design a tractor trailer that was 100 percent more efficient than a baseline, equivalent vehicle. Today, the automaker announced that not only has it achieved that goal, it has surpassed it.
The automaker claims that, thanks to aerodynamic and material improvements, its SuperTruck 2 is 134 percent more efficient than an equivalent tractor trailer from 2009, which it chose as its baseline.
“Partnering with the DOE for the SuperTruck program provides an exciting opportunity to push the technology envelope to see what’s technically possible for heavy-duty transportation,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our advanced engineering team who worked on SuperTruck 2.”
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Volvo says that much of the efficiency gains made by the SuperTruck 2 come from its improved aerodynamics. It describes the cab as being perfectly wedge shapes, with a wraparound windshield. In addition, the fairings and the boat tail on the trailer help it create 50 percent less drag than the automaker’s 2009 baseline truck.
However, the way it cuts through the wind isn’t the only reason it’s more efficient. Volvo also lightened the truck by using things like a composite driveshaft and reducing the number of axles as compared to other American trucks. The cab is also just shorter than others, meaning that less material has to be used in its construction.
Volvo really thought about the project holistically, too. In addition to being more efficient on the road, SuperTruck 2 also has a 48-volt mild hybrid system that acts as a generator with an integrated starter. That allows drivers to run all of their comfort features without having to idle the engine for long periods of time.
Although this was designed purely as a concept, Volvo says that the lessons it learned during the development process are already being put into its production trucks. In addition, it says that it wanted the efficiency gains of this project to be tested in the real world, not just the wind tunnel.
“The project team deliberately focused on driving in real world conditions for testing,” said Voorhoeve. “Data wasn’t just gathered in a lab or on flat, empty roads with optimal conditions and a light load. Instead, our SuperTruck 2 was tested in real-world scenarios on roads with traffic and elevation changes with a GCVW of 65,000 lbs.”
Volvo plans to show the SuperTruck 2 to the public for the first time at the American Trucking Associations’ 2023 Management Conference & Exhibition, which takes place from October 14-17 in Austin, Texas.
On top of the SuperTruck 2, it also plans to show the all-electric VNR Electric 6×2 Day Cab Tractor, which has up to 275 miles (442 km) of range, thanks to a 565 kWh battery. Its electric motor can also kick out 455 hp (339 kW/461 PS) and 4,051 lb-ft (5,492 Nm) of torque.