Complete Vehicle Energy-saving Technologies
for Heavy-Trucks
Motivation and Objectives
Fuel efficiency is a first priority for Customers of long-haul trucks, because of its major impact (about 30%)
on the Total Operating Costs. The efficiency of heavy-duty vehicles can be improved in a relevant way by
operating on both the tractor and the semi-trailer.
The main objective of CONVENIENT project is the development of a novel long-distance heavy-truck
archetype featuring a suite of technologies enabling a 30% fuel saving.
The project includes the development and integration of:
- innovative energy efficient systems and energy harvesting devices
- advanced active and passive aerodynamics devices
- energy management at vehicle level
- driver support to maximize the benefits of the energy-saving systems and strategies
Sustainable Propulsion
CONVENIENT
• The CONVENIENT project aims to develop a novel long-distance heavy-truck prototype featuring a
suite of technologies enabling a relevant reduction of fuel consumption.
• It is planned to adopt an holistic approach to on-board energy management, aimed to consider the
tractor, the semi-trailer, the driver behavior and the mission as a whole problem.
• The project includes the development and integration of innovative energy efficient systems and energy
harvesting devices, advanced active and passive aerodynamics devices on the truck amd on the
semitrailer; energy management system at vehicle level; driver support system to maximize the benefits
of energy saving devices
Achievements
It is envisioned to achieve 30% fuel-saving improvement on the final heavy-truck demonstrator vehicle.
• The electrification of the auxiliaries will contribute with an estimated 3÷4% fuel economy improvement.
• The hybrid powertrain will contribute with an estimated 5÷7% fuel-saving in long-haulage mission.
• Additional 3% fuel-saving is attributed to friction reduction, which includes axles and tires.
• It is expected up to 5% improvement in highway mission thanks to active and passive aerodynamics
• A novel Dual-Level Cooling system associated with Flat Heat Exchangers (FHX) could improve the
efficiency of thermal system up to 2% improvement.
• The PV solar panels on cab-roof and on the semitrailer roof, will harvest energy for charging the highvoltage battery, thus enabling the use of Electric Climatisation and other in-cab electric devices.
• Predictive Driver Support system will support the driver by suggesting the proper driving-style and
speed profile, leveraging on e-horizon information; its estimated fuel-saving is about 5÷8%.
Organisational Information
Budget
Duration
DG / Unit
Coordinator
Main Partners:
Website:
16.6 M€
Funding
10 M€
36 months
Start
November 2012
GC.SST.2012.2-2
Contract n° 312314
Mauro Montiglio, CRF
Contact
mauro.montiglio@crf.it
21 partners, among them IVECO, VOLVO, DAF, ZF, Continental, Magna ECS
www.convenient-project.eu
Affordability & Competitiveness
Technical Approach
Commercial Vehicle
The figure summarises the project organization and the main Deliverables, i.e. the 3 demo trucks
Safe & Integrated Mobility
Project Plan, Milestones and Deliverables
<page>