At the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas, Kenworth unveiled its latest innovation, the SuperTruck 2. The sleek, aerodynamic truck is the result of a six-year collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy aimed at improving the efficiency of freight transportation without abandoning diesel as the primary energy source.
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Super Truck 2 (Kenworth) (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
Pushing the boundaries of efficiency
The SuperTruck 2 exceeded the company’s expectations, achieving an astounding 136% efficiency improvement over what was considered the most fuel-efficient truck at the time, a 2009 Kenworth T660. This feat was achieved by improving fuel economy by up to 12.8 mpg and reducing the vehicle’s weight by over 7,000 pounds.
Super Truck 2 (Kenworth) (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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Aerodynamic and lightweight design
The SuperTruck 2’s aerodynamic design is a distinctive feature, resembling a bullet train with its center cockpit, narrowed nose and sloping front end. The truck also features a low skirt, wheels completely enclosed within the body and slim camera stalks with night vision that replace traditional side mirrors. These design elements have reduced drag by an astounding 48%.
Weight reduction is also a key factor, with the SuperTruck 2 tractor and trailer weighing in at 26,100 pounds, a savings of 7,100 pounds compared to a typical tractor and trailer configuration. Lighter, more rolling resistance tires, a smaller 80-gallon fuel tank, innovative materials and design considerations all contribute to this significant weight reduction.
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Super Truck 2 (Kenworth) (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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Powertrain and Driver Amenities
The SuperTruck 2’s power train is similarly impressive, combining a PACCAR MX-11-based diesel engine, TX-12 automatic transmission and a 48-volt generator into a mild-hybrid system that uses regenerative braking to charge a lithium-ion battery and power the electric fan, steering, coolant and HVAC systems that were previously mechanically driven.
In bench tests, the powertrain achieved a record-breaking 55.7% engine efficiency rating, a significant improvement over today’s modern diesel engines, which exhibit efficiency of around 47%.
For the driver, the SuperTruck 2 offers a unique experience with panoramic views from the central cockpit, a configurable 15-inch digital display and a sleeping berth with a fold-out bed and rotating tabletop for added convenience.
Super Truck 2 (Kenworth) (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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Future-proofing and commercialization
Although the SuperTruck 2 is powered by a diesel engine, Kenworth designed the overall layout to be power train agnostic, allowing it to accommodate battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell-powered drive systems in the future.
Kenworth We recognize that there are challenges to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and we see the SuperTruck 2 program as an opportunity to explore and commercialize new technologies more quickly.
Super Truck 2 (Kenworth) (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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Important points about the cart
Kenworth’s SuperTruck 2 is an impressive achievement that demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of efficiency in the trucking industry. While the SuperTruck 2 itself may not make it into production, the technology and design concepts developed in the project could pave the way for more efficient, environmentally friendly and driver-focused commercial vehicles of the future.
With the push towards a carbon-neutral society, what are your predictions for the transition from diesel to alternative energy sources in freight transport? Cyberguy.com/Contact Us.
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