Navistar on Wednesday announced its SuperTruck demonstration vehicle, CatalIST, achieved a freight efficiency improvement of 104 percent – more than double the 50 percent goal set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its SuperTruck program Against a 2009 base line model truck, CatalIST achieved fuel economy of 13 miles per gallon and demonstrated 50.3 percent Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and a path towards 55 percent BTE, Navistar adds. Mark Stasell,…
Read MoreDaimler Trucks New Electric Urban E-Truck
Daimler Trucks announced this week at the IAA 2016 commercial vehicle show in Hannover, Germany, its future urban transportation strategy, which includes the company’s first electric truck, the Urban eTruck. After introducing its electric drivetrain concept in July, Daimler continued the project with the introduction of the Urban eTruck, an all-new electric truck concept for short-radius, zero-emissions goods distribution. The eTruck has a 200-km range, or approximately 125 miles, on a single charge…
Read MoreDOT Regulations for Autonomous Trucks
The U.S. Department of Transportation on September 20th, 2016 issued some regulatory framework guidleines for vehicle manufacturers, state regulators and other stakeholders regarding the development and deployment of autonomous trucks. The proposed policy initiative comes as both traditional automotive makers and tech giants march increasingly closer to readying such technology for public use. The 114-page document, which the DOT is accepting public comment on for 60 days, intends to set safety…
Read MoreVolvo’s Electric Bus Charges in 3 Minutes
Sales-Lentz, one of the largest public transport operators in Luxemburg, is a forerunner in the introduction of alternative drive technologies. It was the first company to buy Volvo Hybrids in Europe as early as in 2009. Today, they have 24 Volvo hybrids and 12 Volvo electric hybrids in their fleet. Sales-Lentz now takes the next step in electrification with the purchase of four Volvo 7900 Electric buses. The buses will…
Read MoreShell Rotella Exceeds New CK-4 Specifications
The American Petroleum Institute (API), working with engine manufacturers and oil makers, has completed redesigning two new heavy-duty engine oil specifications. Nearly a decade has passed since the last diesel engine oil category, API CJ-4, was developed and major changes are required. The current CJ-4 standard has lasted well beyond the life of the typical engine category. Some of the engine tests required to qualify an oil are no longer…
Read MoreVolvo’s SuperTruck Testing Yields 13 MPG
Volvo Trucks North America’s SuperTruck demonstration rig combined advanced aerodynamics, vehicle and powertrain technologies to achieve a freight efficiency improvement of 88%, exceeding the 50% improvement goal set by the U.S. Department of Energy SuperTruck program compared to a base model 2009 Volvo VN. From the top-of-cab solar panels powering its battery and interior lights, to its ultra-light aluminum frame and highly advanced 425 horsepower 11-liter proprietary engine, the SuperTruck…
Read MoreMitchell On Demand’s New ShopConnect Blog
Mitchell 1 is using its database of repair information for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, as well as the collective knowledge of its commercial vehicle editorial staff in its new ShopConnection blog, with the idea of offering tips to help truck technicians work more efficiently. In the blog, many of Mitchell 1’s ASE-certified trucking service experts address repair issues that truck technicians may face in the shop. Recent blog topics covered…
Read More2017 Cascadia Most Connected Truck Ever
Fuel efficiency, connectivity, and safety are the hallmarks of the newest Freightliner Cascadia. In Daimler’s announcement of the new Freightliner flagship, the company said Daimler Trucks is the biggest truck producer in the United States and Canada. The newest model has also a significantly reduced cost of ownership. A combination of aerodynamic shape and powertrain components have improved fuel efficiency up to 8 percent over the company’s previous headliner, the 2016…
Read MoreVolvo Unveils Autonomous Construction Truck
Volvo unveiled a fully autonomous construction truck that it planned to test in underground mines and that it said would “revolutionize the mining industry.” Today, it has revealed more details of the planned testing and released footage of the truck operating beneath the Earth’s surface. The Volvo FMX is part of a research project aimed at improving safety and productivity in places like mines, ports and other restricted and controlled…
Read MoreAugust Truck Sales Up 36% Over July
Orders for Class 8 trucks in the month of August will be slightly above expectations and a 36% improvement over July’s terrible numbers, according to projections from FTR and ACT Research. Class 8 truck orders in August will be around 14,200 units for the month, a significant rebound from July’s dismal 10,358 units ordered, according to ACT Research. July’s order numbers were the worst recorded by ACT since the first…
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