Volvo Trucks has launched Australia‘s first ever concept truck – the Fuel Super Truck – and the first to be taken directly to market.

Clive Jones, vice president sales Volvo Trucks Australia, said the Volvo Fuel Super Truck takes the idea of a concept truck one step further by delivering a real-world truck that can achieve a 20 percent fuel efficiency gain.

“The Volvo Fuel Super Truck is more than just a concept. It is a real-world truck specially engineered for Australian conditions with a fuel efficiency-optimised driveline and streamlined aerodynamics,” Jones said.

“The truck is designed to run on the least amount of diesel possible, without compromising productivity or performance. With fuel accounting for one-third of operator costs, the industry is looking for answers to the problem of how to maximise fuel efficiency while still getting the job done.”

Jones said the good news for owners and operators looking to reduce fuel consumption is that the majority of features in the Volvo Fuel Super Truck are available for ordering now.

“Volvo Trucks Australia is committed to working with every customer in order to find the best specification for their unique operational conditions.”

Under rigorous testing, the Australian trials of the Volvo Fuel Super Truck showed a gain in fuel efficiency of 20 percent over the baseline FH16, which itself is well known in the market for its leading fuel efficiency.

The Volvo Fuel Super Truck is also equipped with the latest drivetrain and aerodynamics technology. It was designed around a FH16 B-double by a group of engineers at Volvo Group Trucks Technology (GTT) based in Wacol, Queensland, with support from the Volvo GTT network in Sweden.

“Nearly two years in the making, this truck is a testament to Australian ingenuity and engineering skill, along with the great benefits gained from the partnership of Swedish and local engineering teams,” Jones said.

“In addition to engineering developments in the driveline and aerodynamics, other concept trucks have been single trailer vehicles, whereas the Volvo Fuel Super Truck is first B-double concept truck in the world.”

Jones said Volvo Trucks Australia look forward to introducing the Volvo Fuel Super truck to customers around Australia over the coming weeks and months, and to updating the industry on further exciting developments they are making in the fuel efficiency space.

Work on the Australian Fuel Super Truck began in 2017, following a five-year concept truck project in Sweden. Optimised aerodynamic trailer and tractor create aerodynamic improvements to reduce air resistance, and design elements included minimised air resistance at the front of the tractor, the wheel housings and entry steps. The concept vehicle is also fitted with newly developed Michelin tyres with lower rolling resistance. The B-double trailer was designed and engineered in partnership with MaxiTRANS.