The truck of the future

9/19/2018

Trucks will remain essential to cargo transport in the upcoming decades. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and their partners have developed a concept for the truck of the future, including Europe-wide approval for the use of LHV trucks (Longer Heavier Vehicles), diesel hybrid drives and a multifunctional driver's cab.

That's what the truck of the future might look like. (Image: Chair of Industrial Design / TUM)

According to a forecast by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, by 2030 the volume of truck cargo transport will have risen by 39 percent compared to 2010. This means efficient and environmentally friendly transport concepts are of continuing importance when it comes to reducing road traffic and emissions such as carbon dioxide, soot particles and nitrogen oxides.

In the project "Truck2030" scientists at TUM investigated all aspects of the truck of the future and will present their results at the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade show in Hanover. Here are the most important results in the areas of People, Transport and Logistics, Environment and Politics:

People

The researchers' concept is based on the assumption that the truck of the future will drive on the highway automatically. Drivers would then be able to invest the time saved in their own health. The driver's cabin presented by the team is equipped among other things with cables and pulleys which can be used for exercise, already familiar from the health club. A game-oriented aspect will be added in order to increase motivation, for example based on a virtual reward system.

Transport and Logistics

Long trucks with a length of 25.25 meters are ideal for efficient cargo transport. Here two LHV trucks can replace three normal-length trucks. This makes it possible to save fuel, resulting in benefits to the environment and the economy. And the total number of trucks on the road will also be reduced.
Apps that record cargo information using scan codes or NFC could save time and resources during loading and unloading.

Environment

The use of LHV trucks alone could cut CO₂ emissions by 20 percent due to lower fuel consumption with the same cargo loads.
Using diesel plug-in hybrid drives could reduce CO₂ emissions by another 10 percent, the best solution from both the environmental and economic points of view. Based on the current state of the art, a solely electric drive train would not be feasible, since a battery capable of providing sufficient energy for the necessary range would be too large and too heavy.
Tires with optimized road resistance and improved truck aerodynamics could reduce CO₂ emissions by 10 percent.

Politics

The most important prerequisite for realization of the concept is the approval of the use of LHV trucks in all of Europe. In their investigations the scientists successfully refuted counterarguments such as lower driving safety and increased road wear.
Another important point is infrastructure: Use of the diesel plug-in hybrid will require additional charging stations on highways. Electric cars will also be able to use these charging stations.

More information:

Truck2030 is a Technical University of Munich (TUM) research project, conducted in collaboration with the OTH Regensburg (Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule) as well as five industry partners. The project receives support from the Bavarian Research Foundation. The Technical University of Munich units participating are the Chair of Automotive Technology, the Chair of Internal Combustion Engines and the Chair of Industrial Design.
https://www.truck2030.tum.de/home/