Advanced Trucks

NREL develops and demonstrates solutions for advanced, efficient commercial trucks and infrastructure for depots, freight hubs, and transportation corridors.

Detail photo of the electrical cables linking a green, 100% electric semitruck cab to its trailer.

Hydrogen, Electric, Hybrid, and Hybrid Range-Extended Trucks

NREL researchers support the development and deployment of electric, hydrogen, and hybrid trucks, including hybrid trucks with range-extending engines.

To analyze vehicle operations and optimize them for commercial use, we apply nationally representative duty cycles, developed in house, which capture the effects of vehicle dynamics, geography, and driver behavior. These duty cycles enable us to support the future design, development, and validation of technologies for enhanced vehicle performance.

Our customized analyses can match the technologies of best fit to commercial operations, including freight, drayage, goods pickup and delivery, and service applications.

Hydrogen Trucks

We analyze the technical feasibility of hydrogen fuel cell truck technologies for rigorous operations, such as freight transportation and goods delivery. Our researchers can support the development, demonstration, and deployment of these heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles and refueling infrastructure in real-world settings.

Electric Trucks

We support feasibility studies, demonstration, and deployment of fully electric trucks across a variety of vocations, including regional-haul and long-haul, drayage, and local delivery operations. Our work extends to strategic blueprinting for comprehensive deployment of electric truck fleets and associated charging infrastructure.

Hybrid Trucks

To reduce the carbon intensity of commercial vehicle operations, we help design, develop, and demonstrate new generations of medium- and heavy-duty plug-in hybrid trucks. These hybrid vehicles can achieve a 50% or greater reduction in fuel consumption.

Hybrid Range-Extended Trucks

We advance the design, validation, and deployment of range-extended medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, which can offer the efficiency of an electrified powertrain with the driving range of a conventional diesel powertrain.

Alternative Fuel and Electric Fleet Infrastructure

Zero-emission truck hauling a trailer.

NREL researchers analyze real-world duty cycles and vehicle performance to assess infrastructure requirements for electric truck charging and hydrogen and biofuel refueling. We can identify optimal locations for charging and refueling infrastructure, suitable electric vehicle charger types, and energy requirements.

Our customized analyses and blueprints can chart a path to scalable, cost-effective infrastructure for freight facilities such as truck depots, airports and seaports, and distribution centers.

Regional Transportation Corridors

NREL researchers support efforts to create regional electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty trucks along the nation's freight corridors. Our regional freight corridor plans will guide zero-emission charging infrastructure over half of the United States.

Data and Tools

The following NREL data and tools support advanced vehicle and powertrain research:

FleetREDI: Fleet Research, Energy Data, and Insights

DRIVE: Drive-Cycle Rapid Investigation, Visualization, and Evaluation Tool

DriveCAT: Drive Cycle Analysis Tool

FASTSim: Future Automotive Systems Technology Simulator

HEVII: Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Integration and Implementation Tool

T3CO: Transportation Technology Total Cost of Ownership

Publications

Depot-Based Vehicle Data for National Analysis of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle Charging, NREL Strategic Partnership Project Report (2024)

Delivering Clean Air in Denver: Propane Trucks and Infrastructure in Mail Delivery Application, NREL Technical Report (2024)

The Port of Los Angeles Zero- and Near-Zero-Emission Freight Facilities “Shore to Store” Project, California Air Resources Board Final Project Report (2023)

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of the Total Cost of Ownership for Class 8 Tractors and Class 4 Parcel Delivery Trucks, NREL Technical Report (2021)

Development and Demonstration of a Class 6 Range-Extended Electric Vehicle for Commercial Pickup and Delivery Operation, NREL Conference Paper Preprint (2020)

Contact

To learn more about our truck development and demonstration research or to explore partnership opportunities, please reach out.

Andrew Kotz

Team Lead, Commercial Vehicle Technologies

Andrew.Kotz@nrel.gov
303-275-4780

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