Seven years ago, Volvo Trucks was issued a challenge by the U.S. Department of Energy to create a tractor-trailer that outperformed a baseline vehicle by a 100-percent increase in efficiency. Today, the truck manufacturer proudly reveals that it not only met this ambitious target but exceeded it.
The company asserts that their SuperTruck 2, benefiting from enhancements in aerodynamics and materials, has achieved a remarkable 134 percent improvement in efficiency compared to an equivalent 2009 tractor-trailer, which served as their benchmark.
Volvo attributes a significant portion of the efficiency improvements achieved by the SuperTruck 2 to its enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. The company describes the cab as having a sleek, wedge-shaped design with a wraparound windshield. Furthermore, the incorporation of fairings and a boat tail on the trailer contributes to a 50-percent reduction in aerodynamic drag when compared to the automaker's 2009 baseline truck. The aerodynamic principles employed on the SuperTruck are the same ones you’d find on top-spec hypercars like the McLaren Speedtail for example.
However, the enhanced aerodynamics are not the sole factor driving its improved efficiency. Being aerodynamic won’t get the SuperTruck 2 past 100-percent freight efficiency if it’s too heavy. To shave off excess weight, Volvo also reduced the truck's weight through measures such as utilizing a composite driveshaft and reducing the number of axles, distinguishing it from typical American trucks. Additionally, the cab is designed to be shorter than those of its counterparts, reducing the materials required for its construction.
To further save fuel, the truck also incorporates a 48-volt mild hybrid system serving as a generator with an integrated starter. This innovative system enables drivers to operate all their comfort features without the need for prolonged engine idling. While initially conceived as a concept, Volvo emphasizes that the insights gained during the project's development are already finding practical application in their production trucks. Furthermore, the company is determined to test the efficiency improvements achieved in this project not just in controlled environments like wind tunnels but in real-world conditions.
“This is the most aerodynamic and efficient truck Volvo has built to date, and we achieved a freight efficiency that demonstrates the potential for technology innovations to be developed commercially. Our engineers have already begun implementing some of the learnings from SuperTruck 2 into our future truck models. The future of trucks is just around the corner.”
Since testing, the SuperTruck has made its official appearance at the American Trucking Associations’ 2023 Management Conference & Exhibition held in Austin, Texas.
