Our latest infographic explains how heavy-duty trucks are more getting more sustainable thanks to the Energy Department's SuperTruck initiative. | Infographic by Carly Wilkins, Energy Department.
Heavy-duty tractor trailers -- also known as Class 8 trucks -- are a huge part of America’s economy, hauling about 80 percent of the goods that fill our stores. Even though these big rigs make up only four percent of the vehicles on the road today, they consume 20 percent of the fuel.
To improve the efficiency of Class 8 vehicles, the Energy Department and industry partners kicked off the SuperTruck I initiative in 2009. The initiative supported four teams of manufacturers and suppliers who aim to boost a baseline truck’s freight efficiency by 50 percent. Two teams have already exceeded this goal and two are on track to meet it.
Today, the Energy Department announced $80 million in new funding for SuperTruck II research projects that will take this effort to the next level. The objective? To research, develop and demonstrate a long- or regional-haul Class 8 truck that is 100 percent more efficient compared to a manufacturer’s best-in-class 2009 truck. Aside from the more ambitious goal, SuperTruck II will help make these fuel-saving technologies even more affordable for truck operators.
Check out our new infographic above to learn why SuperTruck is important for America’s clean energy future and watch our Energy 101 video to find out how SuperTruck technologies work. Also visit Vehicles.Energy.gov for more on the Energy Department’s efforts to improve the fuel economy of America’s cars and trucks.
