Volvo Trucks first took on an ambitious quest in 2016 when the U.S. Department of Energy issued a challenge: to engineer an electric truck that would outperform existing models by 100% in terms of efficiency. Seven years later, Volvo returns with a project that not only meets but exceeds these initial benchmarks.
The sleek, futuristic design of the new Volvo truck isn't merely an aesthetic choice. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Energy, the vehicle owes much of its efficiency to enhanced aerodynamics and the use of advanced materials. SuperTruck 2 is engineered to be more energy-efficient than a comparable 2009 tractor-trailer, which served as its baseline. With a perfectly contoured cabin and wraparound windshield, as well as meticulously designed fairings and a boat tail on the trailer, this new model experiences 50% less aerodynamic drag than its 2009 predecessor, the SuperTruck 1.
Boasting an impressive 16 miles per gallon (14.7 l per 100 km) in fuel efficiency, the SuperTruck 2 marks a 170% improvement over the original SuperTruck. For context, Daimler's Freightliner SuperTruck II achieves roughly 12 mpg (19.6 l/100 km), while the electric Tesla Semi truck offers an equivalent of 25-35 mpg (9.4-6.72 l/100 km), contingent on diesel-to-electricity cost ratios. In contrast, most commercial semi-trucks max out at around 10.5 mpg (22,4 l/100 km).
The new Volvo semi is also more lightweight, thanks in part to the use of a composite driveshaft and a reduction in the number of axles, both of which help manage the truck's weight. The streamlined cabin uses fewer materials, thereby reducing weight even further. In addition, Volvo replaced conventional hood and side mirrors with a sleek camera monitoring system, slashing aerodynamic drag by over 4%.
The SuperTruck 2 comes with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, serving as a starter generator. This feature ensures the truck's various systems can operate continuously without requiring the engine to idle excessively.
Currently still a concept, Volvo has already begun implementing technologies from the SuperTruck 2 into its production models. The aim, according to the company, was to test these efficiency gains not just in a controlled environment but in real-world conditions—something the project team prioritized during development.
Peter Voorhoeve, the President of Volvo Trucks North America, emphasized that testing wasn't limited to lab conditions or empty, flat roads. Instead, the truck underwent rigorous testing in authentic, variable conditions, including traffic and changes in elevation, all while carrying a Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW) of 65,000 pounds (29,483 kilograms).
The Volvo SuperTruck 2 will make its public debut at the American Trucking Associations’ 2023 Management Conference & Exhibition, set to take place from October 14 to 17 in Austin, Texas.
Source: Volvo Trucks North America
