The US Deparment of Energy (DOE) has granted $80m fund under the SuperTruck II initiative for the research, development and demonstration of long-haul tractor-trailer truck technology.
More than $12m was also granted for three new cost-shared projects, which will involve in the research, development, and demonstration of plug-in electric powertrain technologies for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
DOE had launched SuperTruck I in 2010, under which Class 8 combination trucks or 18-wheelers were developed, which are claimed to increase tractor-trailer fuel, engine and drivetrain efficiency through the use of advanced technologies.
DOE transportation deputy assistant secretary Reuben Sarkar said: "Improving the efficiency of commercial trucks is critical to reducing our petroleum consumption, strengthening our clean energy economy, and further reducing our contributions to climate change.
SuperTruck II projects will research, develop, and demonstrate technologies to enhance heavy-truck freight efficiency by more than 100%, which is similar to manufacturer's best-in-class 2009 truck.
The project will deploy different truck and trailer technology approaches to achieve performance targets, including improvements in engine efficiency, drivetrain efficiency, aerodynamic drag, tire rolling resistance, and vehicle weight.
Robert Bosch, Cummins Corporate Research and Technology and McLaren Performance Technologies are the recipients of the funding for plug-in electric powertrain technologies for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
Robert Bosch will secure $5m to develop and demonstrate a medium-duty plug in hybrid vehicle powertrain that reduces fuel consumption by 50%.
Cummins will receive $4.5m to develop and demonstrate a Class 6 plug in hybrid delivery truck, while McLaren Performance secures $2.6m to develop a Class 6 delivery truck with a scalable, lightweight, low-cost, and commercially-viable plug-in electric drive system.
