In 2023, the Yellow river X7 of Sinotruk (Hong Kong) Limited set the Guinness World Record for “the longest distance traveled by a semi-trailer truck on a single refueling” with a single refueling driving distance of 4,871.18 kilometers.
At the 2024 Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show in Germany, Sinotruk exhibited the newly upgraded Yellow river Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Tractor Train. The innovative streamlined design, combined with the hydrogen internal combustion engine, achieves a perfect combination of ultra-low wind resistance and zero carbon emissions. The drag coefficient is reduced to 0.286, breaking the limit of low wind resistance for commercial heavy trucks again. The energy-saving effect of the vehicle is improved by 15%, fully demonstrating the cutting-edge technological strength of Sinotruk and promoting the global commercial vehicle industry towards a greener, smarter, and more efficient future.
Today, let’s take a close look at the peak work of Sinotruk – the Yellow river Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Tractor Train!
Design Inspiration
The Yellow river Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Ultra-low Wind Resistance Tractor Train adopts a bionic design. The overall shape of the vehicle draws inspiration from the shapes of water droplets and fish in nature. The cab and trailer of the Yellow river heavy truck are designed in an integrated manner, combining the “raindrop”-shaped body with the trailer in the shape of a “bionic fish back”. The entire train is highly streamlined, presenting the best aerodynamic shape and characteristics.
In terms of drag reduction details, hidden door handles, electronic rearview mirrors, etc. are designed to minimize the frontal projection area of the entire vehicle. When driving at high speed, the airflow around the vehicle body passes smoothly, compressing the low-pressure area at the rear, and minimizing both the viscous resistance and the positive pressure. Finally, an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.286 for the entire train is achieved.
Ultra-low Drag Coefficient
The drag coefficient of the Yellow river Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Tractor Train is 0.286, while the drag coefficient of medium and large SUVs is around 0.3. The drag coefficient of a heavy truck is better than that of an SUV, leading far ahead in the entire heavy truck industry.
Sinotruk began to invest in the research, development, and design of low-wind-resistance heavy trucks as early as 2012 and established an aerodynamic simulation + research, development, and design team consisting of more than 120 people. After more than a thousand days and nights, the team completed the research, development, and implementation of the ultra-low wind resistance train and obtained more than 30 invention patents. In this process, the team carried out more than 500 rounds of high-precision CFD simulation optimizations, experienced 3 iterations of prototype vehicles and 10 wind tunnel tests. For the first time in the industry, active air intake grilles, electronic rearview mirrors, hidden door handles, and more than 20 kinds of airflow control accessories were equipped on heavy trucks, achieving the ultimate transformation of Sinotruk’s products and obtaining domestic and international authoritative certifications from China Automotive Technology and Research Center, TÜV Rheinland, and IDIADA.
Longest Driving Distance
Relying on the resource advantages of Shandong Heavy Industry Group, with the integration of many fuel-saving technologies such as a high thermal efficiency power chain + a low-wind-resistance train, in 2022, the Yellow river series of vehicles created the Guinness World Record of driving 4,871.18 kilometers on a single refueling when fully loaded.
In the application of more environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel technology, Sinotruk has also invested a large amount in research, development, and design and achieved excellent results. For the first time in the industry, it successfully developed and commercially applied a 15L large-displacement, high-power hydrogen fuel internal combustion engine with a thermal efficiency as high as 45.03%, ranking first in the industry. In addition, it is equipped with a 2800L/70MPa high-pressure, high-capacity hydrogen storage system. Combined with the ultra-low gas consumption of the entire train, the cruising range reaches 1,100 km, fully meeting the needs of long-distance trunk logistics transportation and eliminating range anxiety.
In addition, Sinotruk has developed a fully independent PCU vehicle intelligent control system, which can achieve full-scenario energy management functions such as intelligent torque control, intelligent braking management, and intelligent thermal management, enabling the vehicle to operate in the most fuel-efficient and efficient state and achieving a win-win situation between fuel savings and performance.
The launch of the Yellow river ultra-low wind resistance heavy truck will provide new ideas for energy conservation and carbon reduction of commercial vehicles, bring new vitality to the transportation industry, and bring higher economic benefits to users.
Cab Design
In addition to the futuristic appearance and power, the cab of the Yellow river Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Tractor Train is equipped with a dual-link high-definition large screen for the intelligent cockpit. In addition, it also has an integrated precise voice capture interaction system and convenient mobile phone APP control functions. At the same time, it also has intelligent driving assistance functions such as 360-degree surround view and blind spot warning, further enhancing safety.
The cockpit adopts a front door opening design, fully considering the driving and riding experience of the driver and optimizing the convenience of getting on and off the vehicle. There are also features such as a starry sky roof, NVH optimization, and a simple top design, which can bring a quieter and more spacious driving and riding environment for the driver. In addition, the vehicle is equipped with living facilities such as an in-vehicle refrigerator, an inverter power supply, and a multi-functional table board, as well as a foldable lower berth, providing a more comfortable and convenient living service for long-distance drivers.
As a backbone force in China’s commercial vehicle industry, Sinotruk has profound technical accumulation and rich production experience. It has established nearly more than 1,000 distribution outlets and 80 overseas offices globally, forming a global marketing and service network. It perfectly integrates the essence of Chinese aesthetics with green technology, showing the great charm of Made in China to the world, marking that Chinese heavy trucks will play a leading role in the new energy development of global commercial vehicles.
