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The Volvo VNL, a heavy truck purpose-designed for North American roads

Blindspot cameras and radars, a more efficient engine, and lower-drag cab all help.

A while ago we checked out Super Truck II, a Department of Energy program that has been challenging the makers of Class 8 heavy trucks—the ones that haul up to 80,000 lbs (36.3 tonnes) of freight. Some readers are bound to be a bit disappointed that the VNL doesn't improve fuel efficiency by quite as much as that ambitious research project. In 2014 he decided to indulge his lifelong passion for the car by leaving the National Human Genome Research Institute and launching Ars Technica's automotive coverage.

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