LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Kenworth recently unveiled its SuperTruck 2 demonstrator vehicle at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas. The truck, developed in partnership with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) SuperTruck program, is designed to challenge truck makers to improve freight efficiency using a diesel engine as the main power source.
The goal was to achieve a 100% freight efficiency improvement over the 2009 Kenworth T660, a model that was considered the most fuel-efficient truck in the industry at the time. “We surpassed the performance of that model to improve efficiency by up to 136%,” said Jim Walenczak, general manager of Kenworth and PACCAR vice president.
The SuperTruck 2 team managed a parallel project for energy efficiency testing by combining a PACCAR MX-11-based engine, the mild hybrid-based 48-volt auxiliaries, and energy waste recovery to bench test a program record 55.7% engine efficiency.
The unique look of Kenworth’s SuperTruck 2 features a “center driver” cab, along with a new sleeper compartment. The overall layout was designed to be powertrain agnostic, supporting zero and near-zero emission solutions.
Kenworth also designed a unique sleeper berth for drivers during off hours. “One of the features we’re trialing is a bed that folds down over the sofa,” said Duncan.
Kenworth’s SuperTruck 2 not only provides a potential glimpse of the future but also presents new ideas for consideration. “Working in the trucking industry is very exciting. There are major challenges ahead as we continue to advance vehicle performance, all while keeping in mind the goal to be a carbon-neutral society by 2050,” said Adams.
In addition to Kenworth’s public-private partnership with the DOE, the following companies and institutions provided product and research development for the SuperTruck 2 program: AVL (engine development), Eaton (powertrain development), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and The Ohio State University.