Eaton announced during the Technology & Maintenance Council's annual meeting March 17 that it is contributing several components to truck manufacturers participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s SuperTruck II program.

SuperTruck II is a partnership between the DOE, truck manufacturers, and equipment suppliers seeking to improve freight efficiency more than 100% over an equivalent 2009 model, and improve engine brake thermal efficiency performance by 55%. The $100 million program is funded by the Vehicle Technologies Office of the DOE and industry partners.

The technologies Eaton is supplying for the project include:

• A high-efficiency transmission that achieves fuel savings by enabling engine-off coasting and waste heat recovery

• A 48-volt mild hybrid electrically regenerative accessory drive that charges a vehicles batteries, runs the air conditioner and other accessories and replaces the alternator in linehaul commercial vehicles

• Precise exhaust gas recirculation controllers that enable simultaneous fuel and emissions reductions

“This is a great opportunity for Eaton technologies to contribute to a program focused on improving the efficiency of commercial vehicles,” said Mihai Dorobantu, director, technology planning and government affairs, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. “We’re excited to work with several OEMs involved in SuperTruck II as we strive for a common goal of cleaner, more fuel-efficient commercial vehicles.”

The original SuperTruck Initiative launched in 2010 with a goal of improving freight efficiency by 50%. Now in its second iteration, the long-term objective of the project is to develop technology that can lead to cleaner, more efficient heavy-duty trucks.