Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) was named as one of the recipients awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the third SuperTruck initiative, according to the company's press release.

DOE will be funding 25 projects with $199  million following the goal of putting cleaner cars and trucks on America’s roads, including long-haul trucks powered by batteries and fuel cells, and improving the nation’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

The award amount is almost $26 million for SuperTruck 3. 

DTNA said it now aims to develop and demonstrate an innovative Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck, which achieves a range target of 600-miles and fuel efficiency for regional and long haul applications while emitting zero tailpipe emissions.

“Inaction is not an option. As market-leader, we are in the driver seat to bring new, clean trucking solutions to market. We remain laser-focused on our goal to electrify our trucks and to help build the necessary infrastructure,” says Dr. Rainer Müller-Finkeldei, SVP Engineering & Technology at DTNA. ”Through DOE’s SuperTruck 3 program, we will be able to more quickly investigate high-risk, high-reward technologies to clear the technical pathway for their development and potential integration in series production - for the mutual benefit of our environment and our society.”

Under the SuperTruck program in 2015, DTNA and its project partners exceeded the program goals by designing a truck that demonstrated more than 115% improvement in overall freight efficiency over a 2009 baseline truck. It also achieved more than a 50% engine brake thermal efficiency improvement. 

The goal for SuperTruck 3 is to develop an array of technologies to demonstrate an innovative hydrogen fuel cell electric tractor that exceeds heavy-duty long-haul sleeper performance, efficiency, and range requirements, without compromising payload. The initial project phases will include technology modeling, analysis, concept selection, and design.

SuperTruck 3 designs are planned to be revealed by the end of 2025.