U.S., Volvo Extend Clean Truck Research Program

GOTHENBURG, Sweden — The U.S. Department of Energy and Swedish government have each committed $9 million to assist a partnership between the U.S. and Volvo seeking to make cleaner heavy duty trucks.

Volvo, the parent company of Mack Trucks, and the U.S. DOE plan to develop heavy duty truck engine systems that are at least 10 percent more fuel efficient than current diesel engines.

The partnership began last year with an $18 million commitment from Volvo and $12 million from the U.S. The two parties agreed in June this year to extend the program for three more years. The addition funds bring the total commitment to $48 million.

The program will test various biofuels in diesel engines, create waste heat recovery systems and develop hybrid technology for trucks as well as new engines and transmission systems to use in hybrid trucks.