With nearly $200 million in grants awarded, the truck manufacturing industry is being charged with pursuing technologies to boost fuel efficiency. Each of the nine projects funded by the Department of Energy will focus on increasing Class 8 long-haul tractor fuel efficiency by at least 50 percent by 2015. That goal is also part of what’s being called the “SuperTruck” program, in which four OEMs will experiment with advanced aerodynamics, engine idling reduction technologies, a waste heat recovery system to increase engine efficiency, plus advanced combustion techniques and powertrain hybridization.

DOE Grant Funding Charges Truck OEMs With Boosting Fuel Efficiency

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is spreading $187 million in grants around the truck manufacturing industry to significantly improve fuel efficiency for heavy- and light-duty trucks, all while maintaining current exhaust emission curbs.

“Improving the fuel efficiency of heavy trucks can make significant contributions to reducing America’s oil consumption within a short timeframe,” DOE spokesperson Jen Stutsman told FleetOwner. “While heavy-duty vehicles make up only 4% of the vehicles on the road, they account for nearly 20% of the fuel consumed in the U.S.”

DOE Secretary Steven Chu announced the funding of nine projects to improve fuel efficiency for heavy-duty trucks and passenger vehicles yesterday at the headquarters of Cummins Inc. in Columbus, IN. Out of the $187 million grants, more than $100 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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