Walmart,
the world's largest retailer has been working on various
sustainability
projects
for a while now, which include using 100% renewable energy, trying to
create zero waste, and committing to selling products that are not
harmful to the environment. They have also been trying to cut
transportation costs and use more eco-friendly trucks, in an effort
to reduce their carbon footprint. Fuel expenses make up a huge
portion of Walmart's operating costs, so the company is always
looking for ways to make its truck fleet more fuel-efficient. These
efforts have resulted in a new truck concept, that is nothing like
conventional transport trucks.

They
have joined forces with a few companies to develop the WAVE
(Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experiment)
concept. These include Peterbilt - the prominent truck manufacturing
company, Capstone Turbine - manufacturer of gas turbines, and Great
Dane Trailers, which builds high-quality trailers. The WAVE features
a pretty innovative design (video) that is very unusual for a truck, with an
extremely aerodynamic cabin, and a convex nose, which reduces drag
drastically. The company claims that it's 20% more aerodynamic than
other trucks that it's using currently.
The
cabin design is not the only thing that provides the truck with great
fuel efficiency. The truck's trailer is made entirely from carbon
fiber, and it's 4,000 pounds lighter than a conventional trailer. It
features two 53-foot long side panels, which according to Walmart,
are the world's longest single-piece panels made of carbon fiber.
This makes it possible for the truck to carry more freight, without
having to burn more fuel. The cabin's interior is also quite
extraordinary. First of all, you access it by sliding its door, which
has a large window for better visibility. The driver's seat is
positioned centrally, and the dashboard features LCD screens that
have replaced the traditional instrument cluster. The intention to
make a very narrow cabin is one of the reasons for the central
position of the driver's seat. Finally, there is a sleeper cabin
behind the driver's seat.
The
WAVE is powered by battery-electric hybrid drivetrain, that consists
of an electric motor and a microturbine, along with an internal
combustion engine. It can run on various fuels, including natural
gas,
biodiesel, diesel, and other
fuels
that may be developed in the future, as Walmart claims. The hybrid
powertrain is mounted under the cabin. While the company hasn't
released any specific info on the truck's fuel economy, it's safe to
say that it's far better than 6 mpg, which is what other trucks of
similar size get. Even with a minimal improvement of Walmart trucks'
fuel economy, the company would save a significant amount of money,
considering that its fleet consists of nearly 7,000 trucks.
However,
the WAVE is only a concept for now, and there is no indication as to
whether it will ever go into production, with Walmart's CEO Doug
McMillon himself stating: "It may never make it to the road,
but it will allow us to test new technologies and new approaches."
|
Comments rated to be "almost" Good Answers: