Volvo Trucks North America revealed its contribution to the Department of Energy's SuperTruck project on Sept. 13, 2016. VTNA President Göran Nyberg presented the truck to DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz near DOE headquarters in Washington, D.C., Equipment Editor Jim Park was there.
Volvo SuperTruck in Photos
Volvo Trucks North America's SuperTruck exceeded standards for the Department of Energy program compared to a 2009 VN base model. Photo: Volvo Trucks North America
Volvo Trucks North America's SuperTruck in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13, 2016. Photo by Jim Park
Rounded and swept front fenders add to the aerodynamic appearance of the truck and contribute real fuel savings. Photo by Jim Park
Absent are driver access steps and grabhandles. This is a best-possible configuration rather than a production-ready truck. Obviously certain aero concessions would have to be made for the sake of driver safety. Photo by Jim Park
Extended chassis fairings cover the drive wheels. Minimal ground clearance provides optimum performance from trailer side skirts. Photo by Jim Park
Photo by Jim Park
Trailer side skirts cover the trailer bogeys and extend right back to the under-ride guard. Photo by Jim Park
An all-aluminum frame designed by Metalsa contributed 900 pounds in weight savings to the truck. Photo by Jim Park
Even with all the aero add-ons and the new powertrain technoology installed, the truck and trailer are 3,200 pounds lighter than a 2009 baseline VN model with a standard dry van trailer. Photo by Jim Park
The truck showed an 88% improvement in freight efficiency (includes driver off-duty costs). The goal of the program was to achieve a 50% improvement.
Photo by Jim Park
The Volvo SuperTruck boasted a 70% improvement in fuel efficiency. It showed better than 12 mpg on a consistent basis and did better than 13 mpg in later stages of testing. Photo by Jim Park
Cameras mounted above the doors and monitors mounted on the A-pillars replace the standard West Coast mirrors. Photo by Jim Park
Photo by Jim Park
The frontal profile is starting to look familiar. Aside from a few concessions to brand styling, this shape is proving to be a common frontal profile for a highly aerodynamic truck. Photo by Jim Park
The black panel on the roof is a solar panel to help power hotel loads. Photo by Jim Park
Under the hood lies an 11L, 425 hp Volvo D11 engine. Photo by Jim Park
The Volvo D11 features turbo-compounding and a waste heat recovery system. Photo by Jim Park
Volvo did not change the standard shape of the trailer, but added a base fairing that is shorter than some we have seen. Photo by Jim Park
DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz, front left, with Volvo Trucks North America President Göran Nyberg (third from right) and Pascal Amar, VTNA's SuperTruck project manager (second from right). Photo by Jim Park