AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN, 2015
WHEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE FREIGHT VEHICLES BECOME UNMANNED, A CABIN IS NO LONGER NEEDED SO TRUCKS WILL BE AT LEAST TWICE AS LOWER IN PROFILE AND WEIGHING LESS, REDUCING DRAG TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE ON FUEL CONSUMPTION. DUE TO LONG DISTANCES THAT FREIGHT TRUCKS NEED TO COVER TIMELY FOR ECONOMICAL VIABILITY, ELECTRIC POWER TRAIN IS NOT YET EXPLORED IN THE DESIGN SINCE IT ENTAILS THE NECESSITY OF MAKING STOPS TO RECHARGE. THE IDEA WAS TO TRY TO AVOID "DESIGNING", AND RATHER ENGINEER THE OUTER MOLD LINE (THE BODY) BASED OFF OF STRICTLY FUNCTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS - SUCH AS THE LARGE COOLING INTAKES ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DISK COVERS ON THE FRONT WHEELS TO REDUCE PARASITE DRAG AND STREAMLINE THE FLOW AROUND THEM, AND COVERED SIDES.