WARRENVILLE, Ill. — Navistar has gotten in on the SuperTruck action, receiving US$37.3 million in US Dept. of Energy funding to find ways of improving Class 8 truck fuel efficiency by 50%.

Cummins and Daimler Trucks North America have also received funding as part of the project.

“Navistar is proud of its fuel efficiency leadership and we’re delighted to work with the DOE on a project that will improve truck and trailer aerodynamics and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Dee Kapur, president, Navistar Truck Group.

Navistar will use the funding to develop and demonstrate technologies that will improve truck and trailer aerodynamics, combustion efficiency, waste heat recovery, hyrbidization, idle reduction and reduced rolling resistance.

The DoE is dubbing the resulting truck a SuperTruck in hopes it will reduce fuel consumption by 50%.

“Our selection to participate in the ‘Super Truck’ program recognizes the outstanding contributions of our company-wide product development organization,” said Ramin Younessi, Navistar group vice president, product development and strategy. “Our leadership in designing and developing clean, energy-efficient engines combined with our achievements in vehicle aerodynamics will provide a solid foundation as we work to deliver the ‘Super Truck’ program goals.”