The U.S. Energy Department is announcing an additional competitively awarded multi-year SuperTruck II project. PACCAR Inc. joins four other SuperTruck II teams to develop innovative technologies that more than double the freight efficiency of Class 8 trucks, commonly known as 18-wheelers. PAACAR has been selected to receive up to eight million dollars in fiscal year (FY) 2017 funds. With this award, the five SuperTruck II projects will have received a total of 40 million dollars in FY 2016 and FY 2017 funds. The awards are cost-shared by the recipients.
SuperTruck II aims to improve fuel efficiency by more than 100 percent and demonstrate 55 percent engine brake thermal efficiency. These trucks haul 80 percent of goods in the United States and use about 28 billion gallons of fuel per year, accounting for around 22 percent of total transportation energy usage-- presenting a significant opportunity to increase efficiency and reduce cost for a key segment of our nation's transportation sector. Lowering the trucks' fuel costs reduces the amount companies need to spend on transportation and can allow retailers to pass that savings to consumers.
