Engine manufacturer Cummins and truck maker Peterbilt Motors Company, displayed their new SuperTruck that is 54 percent more fuel-economic than the majority of other semi-trucks. Their long-hauler has a higher-efficiency engine and an aerodynamic tractor-trailer that reduces drag. To further decrease the fuel consumption, the engineers fitted it with lower rolling resistance tires, lightweight materials and a new system that converts exhaust heat into power which is delivered back to the crankshaft.
Test results showed that in this setup, the truck managed a 9.9 mpg (28.5 l/100 km) fuel consumption. The test was conducted over 11 runs that met the SAE International standards. An average American long-hauler achieves a fuel consumption of between 5.5 and 6.5 mpg (51-43 l/100 km), meaning that the new improved SuperTruck can save about $25,000 (€19,300) per year based on today’s diesel prices and judging that a year’s average travel is estimated at 120,000 miles (193,100 km).
