Wal-Mart Displays Concept WAVE Truck
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Wal-Mart Advanced Vehicle Experience concept truck is giving attendees at theMid-America Trucking Show a glimpse into the future.
The truck, which is making its first public appearance,is expected to turn heads of fleet executives, equipment manufacturers anddrivers because of its futuristic aerodynamic styling, advanced turbine-powered hybrid-electric powertrain and first-of-its-kind trailer made from carbon fiber panels.
in February.
The prototype WAVE tractor-trailer, developed in collaboration with Peterbilt Motors Co., Great Dane Trailers, Capstone Turbine and many other vendors drew a crowd of onlookers and media representatives March 26 in advance of the official opening of MATS on March 27.
The vehicle’s trailer, which was displayed at Great Dane’sbooth,is the first to use carbon fiber panels for the roof and sidewalls, saving nearly 4,000 pounds comparedwith traditional steel or aluminum trailers.
“This road-ready prototype trailer is a bold step in transportation technologies,” said Adam Hill, vice president of product and sales engineering at Great Dane. “We look forward to further collaboration with Wal-Mart to create more fuel-efficient vehicles of this type in the future.”
Great Dane alsoshowcased arefrigerated trailer that has “broken the 12,000-pound barrier” using a combination of new manufacturing techniques and materials. The company also announced that it would extend its CorroGuard anti-corrosion application to flatbed trailers for the first time.