Credit: Daimler Trucks North America/Auto Blog
Big rigs are relatively small in number, but clock up huge distances — 120,000 miles per year (193,000 km), at very high fuel consumption — 5.5 to 6.5 mpg* (US) (6.6 mpg UK, 42.8 litres/100km).
Fuel improvements in this class of vehicle can yield substantial reductions in fuel use & CO2 emisssions. Daimler Trucks North America is researching ways to make this happen, & their SuperTruck is one of the products.
Testing included highway driving in Oregon & Texas, city driving in Portland, Oregon, & laboratory tests. Between San Antonio & Dallas, at an average speed of 65 mph, with a gross weight of 65,000 pounds, the truck averaged 12.2 mpg (US) (14.7 mpg (UK), 19.3 litres/100km).
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097471_daimler-unveils-supertruck-12-mpg-semi-is-more-than-twice-as-fuel-efficient
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/27/daimler-supertruck-115-percent-mpg-improvement/
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* Road & Track: “Why a 10 MPG Peterbilt semi is a really big deal”, http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a4173/news-peterbilt-cummins-tractor-trailer-fuel-economy/ / heavy duty trucks traffic U.S. roads cover many more miles each year average passenger car much worse fuel economy small efficiency improvements biggest trucks major impact overall emissions lower cost of goods transport Daimler Trucks North America SuperTruck 2015 Mid-America Trucking Show Louisville Kentucky experimental SuperTruck 115 percent improvement in fuel efficiency stock 2009 model exceeds goal Department of Energy SuperTruck program smaller efficiency improvement 50 percent Daimler $40 million Federal grant develop test Freightliner SuperTruck improvements confirmed highway test drives Oregon Texas city driving Portland Oregon laboratory tests Daimler's Detroit engineering facility 312 mile Texas highway drive averaged 12.2 mpg gross weight 65,000 pounds average 65 mph between San Antonio Dallas results engineers adapted components production trucks custom features bodywork aerodynamic elements production Freightliner Cascadia Evolution more streamlined grille moveable shutters internal combustion engine ICE cooling air truck Freightliner's Intelligent Powertrain Management system digital maps time shifting maximum efficiency low rolling resistance tires electric appliances Daimler Federal regulations production three truck manufacturers awarded grants SuperTruck program Cummins Peterbilt 9.9 mpg similar testing conditions radical truck concepts AirFlow BulletTruck WAVE concept retail giant truck fleet owner Walmart interest operators save money manufacturers new fuel economy standards Federal regulations heavy duty trucks 10 to 20 percent increase fuel efficiency 2018 regulators draft new rules mandating addition improvements 2019 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy CAFE rules passenger cars /
