The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded $199 million to fund 25 projects focused on developing zero-emission vehicles, as well as the infrastructure to power them. The announcement, made by both Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, included more than $127 for the DOE’s SuperTruck 3 program.
Initially launched by the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in 2009, the SuperTruck Initiative’s goal was to improve heavy-duty truck freight efficiency by 50%, which it did — by more than double. While SuperTruck 2 aimed to double fuel efficiency for Class 8 trucks, the most current iteration, SuperTruck 3, will work to improve medium- and heavy-duty truck efficiencies and reduce emissions of freight transportation.
The SuperTruck 3 program will work to improve medium- and heavy-duty truck efficiencies and reduce freight transportation emissions.
“As America’s solutions department, DOE is working with manufacturers and industry partners to reimagine vehicle transportation across the country to achieve our climate goals—from lowering carbon emissions to increasing efficiency and affordability,” said Secretary Granholm. “This investment and the innovations that come from it will help shape our clean energy future and strengthen domestic manufacturing that support good-paying careers for hardworking Americans.”
The SuperTruck 3 program will assist five commercial vehicles manufacturers to develop battery-electric and fuel cell medium- and heavy-duty trucks and freight system solutions. The separate projects will be funded over five years with the OEMs matching federal funding:
- PACCAR was awarded $32,971,041 to develop 18 Class 8 battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles with advanced batteries, as well as a megawatt charging station.
- Volvo Group North America was awarded $18,070,333 to develop a 400-mile-range Class 8 battery-electric tractor-trailer with advanced aerodynamics, electric braking, EV optimized tires, automation, and route planning, as well as a megawatt charging station.
- Daimler Trucks North America was awarded $25,791,669 to develop and demonstrate two Class 8 fuel cell trucks with 600-mile range and 25,000-hour durability, as well as equivalent payload capacity and range to diesel.
- Ford Motor Company was awarded $24,952,314 to develop and demonstrate five hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 6 Super Duty trucks, while targeting cost, payload, towing, and refueling times equivalent to conventional gasoline trucks.
- General Motors was awarded $26,061,726 to develop and demonstrate four hydrogen fuel cell and four battery-electric Class 4-6 trucks, while also focusing on the development of clean hydrogen via electrolysis and clean power for fast charging.
Five OEMs will receive funding over five years to develop battery-electric and fuel cell trucks, and freight system solutions.
“Inaction is not an option. As market-leader, we are in the driver seat to bring new, clean trucking solutions to market. We remain laser-focused on our goal to electrify our trucks and to help build the necessary infrastructure,” says Dr. Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, DTNA’s senior vice president of engineering and technology, in a recent press release. “Through DOE’s SuperTruck 3 program, we will be able to more quickly investigate high-risk, high-reward technologies to clear the technical pathway for their development and potential integration in series production, for the mutual benefit of our environment and our society.”
