NEXTCAR Initiative

U.S. Department of Energy Project

“Next-Generation Energy Technologies for Connected and Automated On-Road Vehicles,” or “NEXTCAR,” is a U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)-sponsored project that aims to develop technologies that will utilize emerging connectivity infrastructure. A Purdue University-led team of industry leaders are focusing on technologies that benefit line-haul Class 8 trucks with an emphasis on platooning vehicles. This three year, $5 million project intends to assess the fuel efficiency benefits of an integrated, connectivity-enabled, vehicle and powertrain control system for diesel-powered on-highway trucks. The goal is a net vehicle fuel consump-tion reduction of up to 20% demonstrated through engine and vehicle validations with an incremental vehicle cost increase of under $3,000.

Key Concepts

Targeted 20% fuel efficiency improvements
Vehicle and engine validations
Variable, remote powertrain calibrations
Cloud-based powertrain control optimizations
More efficient two-truck platooning using connectivity-enabled shift coordination and lead truck predictive cruise