The Total Weight Of The Truck Is Only 12 Tons, And The Freight Efficiency Is Increased By 134%. Volvo’s Future Truck Is So Awesome! 2/2

The lightweight car body is close to the ground and the total weight of the tractor + trailer is 12.25 tons.

In addition to aerodynamic advances, engineers implemented several weight-saving strategies. Using a compact cab design and aluminum alloy wheels, the chassis uses a lightweight transaxle system and composite drive shaft, significantly reducing the total curb weight of the tractor plus trailer to 27,000 pounds (approximately 12.25 tons) .

Volvo Trucks worked with a project partner, a trailer manufacturer, to combine a customized lightweight aerodynamic trailer with optimized aerodynamic features to effectively reduce the gap between the tractor and trailer. Volvo Trucks also collaborated with a tire manufacturer to develop smaller, lighter 19.5-inch low-friction tires.

The chassis of Volvo SuperTruck 2 uses an air suspension, which can adjust the suspension height when driving according to the speed, so as to achieve the "ground-hugging" effect as much as possible at high speeds to save energy. Even the designer said when talking about Volvo SuperTruck2, "Everything I have learned about trucks and truck aerodynamics has been integrated into this SuperTruck2 project."

Focused on the driving environment, the Volvo Trucks SuperTruck 2 is equipped with a 48-volt micro-hybrid system that acts as a generator with an integrated starter. Powering in-cab comfort features, including a fully electric HVAC system, allows drivers to avoid idling during breaks and still have the power to use on-board equipment.

"This is the most aerodynamic and efficient truck Volvo Trucks has ever built," said Volvo Trucks North America President Verkhoff. "We achieved our freight efficiency goals and demonstrated the commercial potential of technological innovation."

Although the Volvo SuperTruck 2 truck is still an experimental project, it is also a platform to demonstrate the potential of future truck technology. Many of its technologies are not currently cost-effective and market-friendly, and require more testing and verification. But this does not mean that it is an unattainable dream. On the contrary, it is a direction sign leading to the future. Because in the near future, many technologies of concept trucks will be gradually transferred to mass-produced vehicles after costs are controlled, so that the general public can also enjoy the economic benefits brought by cutting-edge technology.