ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mack Trucks is working with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop environmentally friendly commercial vehicle technologies, with the initial goal to reduce fuel consumption and primary CO2 emissions from heavy-duty trucks by more than 10 percent.

The project is part of joint environmental program financed by Mack’s parent, the Volvo Group, and the governments of the U.S. and Sweden. Much of the work will be done by Volvo Powertrain North America, which supplies
engines to Mack.

Mack will investigate the reduction of CO2 emissions through a focus on very high fuel economy, the company said. This will include advanced hybrid technologies and the conversion of exhaust heat to useful energy.

The project’s other main goal is to optimize use of biofuels in diesel engines and to evaluate the characteristics of several bio-based alternative diesel fuels.

“The trucks we’re building today in compliance with 2007 EPA regulations emit 50 percent less oxides of nitrogen, or NOx, and 90 percent less particulate matter, or soot, than their predecessors just a year ago — and NOx levels will go down another 80 percent in 2010,” said Mack President and CEO Paul Vikner.

Mack is also partnering with the United States Air Force in the development of heavy-duty hybrid trucks.