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NREL looks to reduce idle climate control loads with CoolCab Advanced insulation packages, solar reflective film, and other thermal-management technologies enable heavy vehicles to reduce idle climate control loads, as demonstrated by NREL's CoolCab project in collaboration with industry OEMs and suppliers. Read full story

Truck platoon demo reveals 15% bump in fuel economy Automated road trains such as the one demonstrated on a test track in Tsukuba City, Japan, help prove out new truck platooning technology for real-world use. Similar programs have been conducted in Europe and the U.S. Read full story

Solar glass delivers a small boost in EV range Climate control can reduce electric-vehicle range by up to 46% from A/C usage in hot weather and up to 68% from electric heaters in cold temps. Tests of a solar glass windshield at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory show 4% savings in required A/C cooling capacity, providing an up to 1.0 mi (1.6 km) increase in vehicle range. Read full story

SAE G-19 Committee making progress on counterfeit parts standards Phil Zulueta, Chairman of the SAE G-19 Committee, provides an update on committee subcommittee activities. Read full story

Video interview: Henkel pretreatment process enables aluminum growth Kevin Woock, Henkel's Global Market Segment Manager for Automotive, explains how the Bonderite Flex Process, which uses zirconium oxide pretreatment instead of conventional zinc phosphating, enables processing of up to 85% aluminum content on vehicles vs. 25% with zinc phosphate coating. Read full story

Foreseeing a bright outlook for prognostics The high quality of diagnostic information is driving a change in the way these data are being used. Vehicle designers are devising techniques that use this information to determine when components and systems are going out of range, which indicates that it’s time for maintenance. Read full story

Video interview: UMTRI provides update of connected-vehicle pilot program Debby Bezzina, Senior Program Manager for Safety Pilot Model Deployment at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, talks about where the program stands today and where it goes after completion in August 2013. Read full story

Video interview: Evonik demonstrates 1.5% FE improvement with patented COMB polymers Doug Placek, President of Evonik Oil Additives USA, provides details on the company's new lubricant viscosity-index improvers and how they can fit into OEMs' strategies to improve fuel economy. Read full story

New Volvo FM truck gets dynamic steering, intelligent I-See system Following the launch of the Volvo FH at the IAA Show at Hanover last September, Volvo Trucks has launched a revised FM range at the U.K. CV Show, ahead of the start of production in September 2013. Read full story