Walmart concept truck makes WAVEs

US superstore giant Walmart has turned its attention to trucks, recently unveiling this aerodynamic WAVE concept machine

Walmart might seem an unlikely firm to try its hand at producing a truck, but when you dig a little deeper, its latest example of corporate might – a concept truck called the WAVE – makes pretty good sense.

The American superstore heavyweight is also the owner of one of the world’s largest commercial truck fleets, so any truck capable of slashing the firm’s monster annual fuel bill is sure to keep its shareholders smiling.

Walmart teamed up with Peterbilt, Capstone Turbine and Great Dane Trailers to produce the WAVE, which stands for Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience (and admittedly isn’t half as catchy as the acronym).

This long-haul specialist isn’t all about wind-tunnel-derived aerodynamics, either. Its hybrid engine can harness an electric turbine or a combustion engine powered by either diesel, biodiesel, or natural gas.

While Walmart stops short of quoting any fuel figures – it’s just a concept, after all – it does say its wind-cheating design is around 20 per cent more aerodynamic than traditional designs, while the weight saved through the use of the world’s first 53-foot carbon fibre trailer also plays a significant role.

The driver sits in the middle of the cab before an array of LCD displays, with a comfortable sleeper just behind.

According to Walmart President and CEO, Doug McMillon, the WAVE is a design exercise that provides plenty of food for thought.

“It may never make it to the road, but it will allow us to test new technologies and new approaches,” he says.

“But if there’s an industry in need of disruption, trucking is it, and the WAVE could point the way forward for the future of long-haul hauling.”

Here's a short corporate clip of the WAVE's benefits and innovations...

Walmart concept truck makes WAVEs

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