Renault Trucks has announced a new collaborative research and development project that aims to pave the way for the future generation of electric long-haulage trucks.
The DOLPHIN project (Development Original truck Lab for PHysical INtegration) aims to assess the potential for technological innovation in terms of energy and environmental optimisation, safety, ergonomics and on-board comfort.
Led by Renault Trucks, they will work with a consortium of industrial and academic research partners based in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The partners comprise of refrigerated semi-trailer manufacturers, driving comfort and safety specialists and more.
The group will build a demonstration vehicle, based on an all-electric truck, to test and evaluate technological innovations in three areas of research.
Energy and environmental optimisation is a key area, with research focusing on the aerodynamics of the all-electric vehicle and, more generally, on the energy efficiency of the entire assembly.
Safety for road users, with the integration of specific equipment to enhance detection of vulnerable road users, and ergonomics and on-board comfort, with a completely redesigned dashboard and new interior fittings, providing an innovative on-board experience centred on the driver’s well-being are the other two areas.
For Renault Trucks, the DOLPHIN project is a way of preparing its future generations of electric trucks by exploring and advancing the maturity of new technologies.
The DOLPHIN project was the winner of the “CORAM 2022” call for projects, which supports innovation projects that will accelerate the transition to the vehicle of the future.
It has been funded by the French government as part of France 2030 and by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the France Relance plan.
Production of the laboratory truck will start in the spring of 2024.