Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/671317
The Department of Energy recently announced its SuperTruck II initiative, which will push manufacturers to im- prove heavy-duty freight efficiency by more than 100 percent over the most fuel efficient tractor-trailer combo from 2009. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trans- portation Reuben Sarkar announced the $80 million funding opportunity, subject to congressional appropria- tions, for research, development and demonstration of long-haul tractor- trailer technology at the GreenTruck Summit in Indianapolis. "Improving the efficiency of commer- cial trucks is critical to reducing our petroleum consumption, strengthening our clean energy economy and further reducing our contributions to climate change," Sarkar said. "This new fund- ing will not only accelerate innovation but also foster rapid market adoption of new energy efficient vehicle tech- nologies." SuperTruck II projects will work to im- prove freight efficiency with an empha- sis on technology cost-effectiveness and performance, according to the DOE. The department says SuperTruck II will utilize a variety of truck and trailer technology approaches to achieve performance targets, such as improve- ments in engine efficiency, drivetrain efficiency, aerodynamic drag, tire roll- ing resistance and vehicle weight. The original SuperTruck project launched in 2010 that resulted in a Cummins-Peterbilt partnership that produced a truck that averaged a 75 percent increase in fuel economy, a 43 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and an 86 percent gain in freight efficiency in 24-hour, head-to-head testing against a 2009 baseline truck, as well as Freightliner's SuperTruck that boasted a 115 percent boost in vehicle freight efficiency and sustained 12.2 miles per gallon logged at 65 miles per hour on a stretch of I-35 between San Antonio and Dallas, Texas. Sarkar also announced more than $12 million in grants for three new cost-shared projects focused on the research, development and demon- stration of plug-in electric powertrain technologies for medium- and heavy- duty vehicles. • 16 www.bigrigowner.com M A Y 2 0 1 6 REBORN RIG SuperTruck II project announced by Department of Energy By Matt Cole