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This future truck design was created by college designer Austin Fodell, and it shows a conventional semi tractor of a unrecognizeable make, and was designed by Austin as part of the “Create Fuel-Efficient Truck of Tomorrow” project undertaken by the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan.
The goal: slash fuel consumption. How much? The designers aimed at reducing fuel expenses 10 to 20 percent. Emissions were to be reduced by the same amount.
The real-life reasons behind the project are the government’s impending changes to regulations in the transportation industry. The government wants more fuel efficient trucks — we’re referring here to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 21st Century Truck program.
15 CCS students took part in the project, which is actually a join program with the design college’s corporate partner, Meritor.
“As professionals in the field, we know that it is important that students stay abreast of any new laws. Designers must look at the entire picture when designing a vehicle, not just the aesthetics,” noted Mark West, professor and assistant chair of MFA Transportation Design at CCS.
Because technology is constantly allowing us to improve the way we do things, and because the environment has reached its limits in some respects, although we still would like more from it, vehicle designers have new challenges ahead of them.
“The students closely considered the vehicle’s life expectancy, hybrid powertrains, integrated solar panels, highway safety, driver comfort and safety and serviceability in their design.”
