With a total weight of only 12 tons and a 134% increase in freight efficiency, Volvo's future truck is awesome!
If a company were to focus purely on developing an efficient truck, what could they do?
Years ago, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invited several commercial vehicle bigwigs to build a "SuperTruck" that would increase freight efficiency by 50 percent. In 2016, Volvo Trucks handed over their SuperTruck concept, which improved freight efficiency by 88 percent, far exceeding the 50 percent target set by the U.S. Department of Energy. And the car improves fuel economy by 70%, which translates to fuel consumption of only 19.6 liters per 100 kilometers.
Recently, Volvo Trucks North America brought a more extreme SuperTruck 2. In the new phase, the U.S. Department of Energy challenged Volvo Trucks to improve freight efficiency by 100%, but Volvo Trucks set its own internal goal of improving freight efficiency by 120%, and they eventually achieved a 134% improvement in freight efficiency.
So what exactly does this amazing truck look like? On October 10, the car was demysterious.
Extreme aerodynamics 20% less drag than the original car
Advanced aerodynamics are known to be one of the key factors in optimizing fuel efficiency. In terms of styling design, Volvo Trucks focuses on three main design elements, the first is the design of the windshield, Volvo SuperTruck 2 has a very smooth and rounded windshield, and it presents a certain inclination angle and perfectly integrates with the roof deflector, which is not only very aerodynamic, but also visually enjoyable.
Secondly, Volvo Trucks has optimized the hood around the SuperTruck 2 grille, and you can see that the SuperTruck 2 hood as well as the wheel arches are very smooth lines, which makes the front of the car an elegant wedge shape from front to rear. The truck also replaces conventional mirrors with an electronic mirror system, reducing air resistance by more than 4%.
The third point is the design of the side and rear of the whole vehicle, both the side of the tractor and the side of the trailer are exceptionally smooth, the walking mechanism is covered by a large number of side skirts, and there is almost no bulge on the entire side. Even at the rear, the Volvo SuperTruck 2 has been designed with a deflector to delay the formation of negative pressure zones.
Compared to the original Volvo SuperTruck, which was modeled after the VNL670 cab, the SuperTruck 2 has 20% less drag. Most of the SuperTruck 2's aerodynamic gains can be attributed to the all-new cab design, including a completely different windshield from the original generation, and the SuperTruck 2 demonstrates the potential to reap significant aerodynamic gains by changing the body-in-white, these aerodynamic packages, arguably armed to the teeth.
Lightweight body sticking to the ground The total weight of the tractor + trailer is 12.25 tons
In addition to advances in aerodynamics, engineers implemented several weight-saving strategies. The use of a compact cab design with aluminum alloy wheels, a lightweight transaxle system and composite drive axles significantly reduces the total curb weight of the tractor and trailer to 27,000 pounds (about 12.25 tons).
Working with a trailer manufacturer, a project partner, Volvo Trucks combined a custom-made, lightweight aerodynamic trailer with optimised aerodynamic features to reduce the gap between the tractor and the trailer. Volvo Trucks also worked with a tire manufacturer to develop smaller, lighter 19.5-inch low-friction tires.
The chassis of the Volvo SuperTruck 2 uses air suspension, which can adjust the suspension height when driving according to the speed per hour, and achieve the effect of "racing to the ground" as much as possible at high speeds to save energy. Even the designer said of the Volvo SuperTruck2 that "everything I learned about trucks and truck aerodynamics has been incorporated into this SuperTruck2 project".
The Volvo Trucks SuperTruck 2 focuses on the driving environment and features a 48-volt micro-hybrid system that acts as a generator with an integrated starter. Powering in-cab comfort features, including an all-electric HVAC system that allows drivers to avoid idling during breaks and still have the motivation to use on-board equipment.
"This is the most aerodynamic and efficient truck Volvo Trucks has ever made, and we have met our freight efficiency targets and demonstrated the commercial potential of technological innovation," said Vochoff, President of Volvo Trucks North America. ”
Although the Volvo SuperTruck 2 truck is an experimental project, it is also a platform to demonstrate the potential of future truck technology. Many of its technologies are not yet cost-effective and in demand, and require more testing and validation. But this does not mean that it is a distant dream, on the contrary, it is a directional indicator for the future. Because in the near future, many technologies of concept trucks will be gradually decentralized to production vehicles after the cost is controlled, so that the general public can also enjoy the economic benefits brought by cutting-edge technology.