Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America will work on developing technologies to improve the freight-moving efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of a $19 million SuperTruck contract the Volvo Group landed with the U.S. Department of Energy.


Areas of focus will include heavy-duty truck prototypes aimed at moving more freight with less fuel, with a particular emphasis on improved aerodynamics and energy conversion efficiency.

Peter Karlsten, Volvo Powertrain president and senior vice president of technology for the Volvo Group, said in a statement that the public-partnership "will help drive the development of technologies needed to maximize energy efficiency as we address the reality of a finite supply of petroleum-based resources."

R&D work under the SuperTruck program will be conducted over the next five years in Greensboro, N.C., where Mack and Volvo are headquartered, and in Hagerstown, Md., where all of the company's engines and transmissions are assembled.

The company's longtime focus on vertical integration will be a factor, said Kevin Flaherty, Mack senior vice president, U.S. and Canada. "Integrated proprietary components provide superior performance because they're specifically designed to work together. Our EPA 2010 solution is a good example. The intelligent integration of the Mack MP series engines and Mack ClearTech SCR system delivers maximum fuel efficiency and near-zero regulated emissions. We look forward to bringing this kind of expertise to the SuperTruck table."

Work under the SuperTruck award will be done in conjunction with supplier and university partners.