Volvo Trucks’ aim to reduce fuel consumption by over 30% with its new concept truck.

The new vehicle illustrates a way of significantly boosting productivity in long-haul operations, with lower kerb weight and a more aerodynamic design among the secrets to the fuel savings.

The firm has developed the Volvo Concept Truck with the support of the Swedish Energy Agency and has arrived after research conducted by both organisations over the course of the last five years.

The study aimed to create vehicles with greater energy-efficiency, while reducing fuel consumption by over a third.

President and CEO of Volvo Trucks, Claes Nilsson, said that the company are always working on the development of more energy-efficient vehicles.

Mr Nilsson added that this is an area of high importance to both reduce customer costs and be more environmentally friendly, with this latest project showcasing the significant force of continuing technical advances.

Both trailer and tractor have benefited from the 40% aerodynamic efficiency improvements, which is a key reason for the reduced fuel consumption.

Mr Nilsson continued to say that the whole combination has been evaluated and modified in order to optimise its aerodynamics, for example by removing rear view mirrors and replacing them with cameras.

Chief Project Manager at Volvo Trucks, Ake Othzen, said that the modifications will reduce air resistance, meaning that there will be less energy required to propel the truck.

As well as the improvements to its aerodynamics, the concept truck comes equipped with newly developed tyres to reduce rolling resistance.

Work on the project began in 2011, with the ultimate aim of bettering long-haul transportation efficiency by more than half.

The vehicle will not be available on the market as it is part of a research project, but Volvo has already incorporated some of the aerodynamic features on its existing truck series.