DOE, Volvo Group Agree to Expand Cooperation to Build More Fuel-Efficient Trucks

Cleaner, greener trucks is the goal of a cooperative agreement that exists between the U.S. Department of Energy and Volvo Group. That agreement will be extended for three additional years once contractual negotiations conclude later this year, the Department of Energy said. Over the three-year extension, $9 million in DOE funds will be matched by $9 million in Swedish government funds and $18 million from Volvo Group, according to the DOE. These funds will be in addition to an existing $12 million commitment from the U.S., Sweden and the Volvo Group, putting the overall value at $48 million. The overall objective of the partnership is to demonstrate heavy-duty engine systems with a fuel efficiency at least 10% higher than conventional diesel engines. The partnership will test and analyze different biofuels on diesel engines; develop a "narrow band" engine and advanced transmission system to minimize the detrimental effects of transient operation; and develop hybrid vehicle technology for heavy-duty engines coupled with waste heat recovery.