SuperTruck 2 Might Be DOE’s Final Concept Fleet
5 Cutting-Edge Prototypes Could Mark the End of the Program
Key Takeaways:
- Funding for the Department of Energy’s SuperTruck program has apparently ended, leaving the five concept Class 8 trucks from SuperTruck 2 as its final completed prototypes.
- The trucks from Daimler, International, Kenworth, Peterbilt and Volvo showcased major aerodynamic and fuel-efficiency gains, with some achieving up to 16 mpg and 170% freight-efficiency improvements.
- The North American Council for Freight Efficiency said SuperTruck 2 technologies could advance diesel efficiency and lay the groundwork for future zero-emission commercial vehicles.
[Stay on top of transportation news: .]
With funding for the Department of Energy’s SuperTruck program apparently halted, the concept trucks developed during SuperTruck 2 may stand as the final fully realized concept trucks the program produced. Five Class 8 trucks were developed as part of that initiative, which ran from 2016 to 2023.
Several of the concept trucks developed during SuperTruck 2 made the rounds on the trade show circuit.
Daimler
Daimler Truck North America unveiled its SuperTruck 2 high-efficiency tractor-trailer combination at the Manifest conference in February 2023. The truck featured freight efficiency gains that the company said were built around equipment and components central to real-world tractor-trailer operation.
The truck featured powertrain improvements that produced fuel economy gains over the SuperTruck 1 DTNA unveiled in 2015, along with aerodynamic advancements that DTNA said were built around its existing Class 8 designs.
International
International Motors — at the time known as Navistar — in June 2023 introduced an International SuperTruck 2 concept that achieved fuel efficiency of 16 mpg and a 170% improvement in freight efficiency compared with a 2009 baseline. The truck’s hybrid powertrain featured a combustion engine with high-voltage accessories and technologies, developed in partnership with Bosch. Engine improvements were made in areas including combustion, friction, gas exchange and airflow through the engine. The International SuperTruck 2 also featured a 100% composite box to reduce aerodynamic drag with trim weight.
Several of the concept trucks developed during SuperTruck 2 made the rounds on the trade show circuit. (North American Council for Freight Efficiency)
Kenworth
Kenworth Truck Co. showcased its SuperTruck 2 concept tractor at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in May 2024.
With a sloped profile that resembled a bullet train, the truck combined an aerodynamic design with a reimagined interior that positioned the driver’s seat in the center of the cab.
Peterbilt
Peterbilt Motors Co. displayed its SuperTruck 2 concept at CES in January 2024. The truck featured an aerodynamic shape with a center drive position to improve overall visibility, a right-hand entry stand-up door, pop-out windows and cameras to replace mirrors. The truck had a mild hybrid powertrain, a waste heat recovery system and a lightweight chassis for improved fuel economy.
Volvo
Volvo Trucks North America in October 2023 said its SuperTruck 2 achieved a 20% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency over its first SuperTruck, and posted 50% aero improvement over the baseline Volvo VNL model in production at the time.
NACFE
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency in a March 2024 report found that technologies and innovations tested during SuperTruck 2 “not only highlight the potential for improving the efficiency of diesel-powered trucks but also help set the stage for zero-emission commercial vehicles.”
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing belowor go here for more info:
