Wal-Mart's Futuristic Delivery Truck Concept
Could this be the future in produce delivery? Wal-Mart has revealed a new aerodynamic design concept for delivery trucks that are not only fuel efficient, but can run on almost any fuel – which may include those that are still to be developed.
The new Wal-Mart Advanced Vehicle Experience, or WAVE, is at least 20% more aerodynamic than the company’s current trucks and is powered by a micro-turbine hybrid powertrain that can run on diesel, natural gas, and biodiesel. According to Gizmodo, these new trucks can even run like an electric car, relying on a set of on-board batteries.
The trailer has been fully redesigned as well, featuring carbon fiber material and 53-foot panels. The final result is a 4,000 pound lighter trailer that can carry more cargo in a single trip than current models thanks to the convex, aerodynamic design.
Inside, the driver sits in the center of the vehicle and is surrounded by LCD screens that feature customizable gauges, performance data, and cameras to cover blind spots – not to mention the full-size sleeper in the back!
Wal-Mart’s President and CEO Doug McMillon commented, “It may never make it to the road, but it will allow us to test new technologies and new approaches. I share it because it gives you a sense of how sustainability is helping us see things in new ways.”Believe it or not, it’ll be interesting to see how far Wal-Mart, or perhaps other companies, will take this concept.
