GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks has inked a deal that will see the truckmaker evaluating new technology aimed at enhancing trailer aerodynamics.

The contract, awarded by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, was awarded at the recent press event in Fontana, Cal.

The Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies and the U.S. Department of Energy are sponsoring the project, which will hopefully end up improving fuel efficiency for heavy vehicles while reducing emissions.

Volvo says the technology being tested utilizes aerodynamic surfaces and a blower to create positive air pressure at the back of the trailer. Tests will be done on full-scale over-the-road highway units. The venture is being supported by Great Dane Trailers and Volvo Technology of America.

Testing has already begun at Volvo’s technical center in Greensboro and will wrap up by next summer.

"This project is a continuation of our work with the federal government to develop new, commercially viable, technologies that contribute to highway safety and have a positive effect on the environment," says Skip Yeakel of Volvo Trucks’ Advanced Engineering Department. "The new technology could certainly have a major impact on heavy-duty, over-the-road commercial vehicle fuel efficiency if it proves to be as successful as initial results have shown in small-scale wind tunnel R&D conducted to date."