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The logistics and transportation industries rely on speed and efficiency to keep things moving smoothly. Semi-trucks aren’t known for their high speeds or impressive acceleration as much as they are known for their ability to haul heavy loads over long distances, and things like cargo capacity and fuel efficiency are most often the most celebrated metrics for a truck. That said, anyone who gets a thrill from driving loves the feeling of a high-speed vehicle at their command.
In the world of commercial trucking, a driver doesn’t get to let it rip and run their truck at full speed — it would be far too dangerous and would probably lead to getting your CDL suspended and/or fired from work. But as with all things mechanical, there are some people out there who want to keep pushing the limits of what is possible with any sort of engine, from boats to planes to semi-trucks.
We put together a list of a few of the fastest semi-trucks on earth below. The real standouts wouldn’t be of much use away from a racetrack, but there are a few standard commercial models in the list that might surprise you!
Shockwave
Source: https://www.shockwavejettruck.com/index.php/photos1/shockwave
Shockwave was the first of two jet-powered American trucks bearing the name, built on a 1984 Peterbilt 359. It was destroyed in 2022 in a fatal crash while racing (yes, racing) two airplanes. The accident is believed to have been caused by a blown tire that ruptured the fuel tank. The original Shockwave still holds the world speed record for a full-sized jet-powered truck after clocking in at 376 miles per hour. Shockwave could run a quarter-mile in 6.63 seconds, and burned the equivalent of 400 gallons per mile, even with the afterburners activated.
Shockwave was powered by three Westinghouse J34-48 jet engines, which combined produced 36,000 horsepower. To bring all of those horses to a stop, it took two aircraft parachutes — air brakes don’t mean much when you have this much power moving you.
Super Shockwave // Hot Streak II
Source: https://www.shockwavejettruck.com/index.php
Formerly called Super Shockwave, but now driving under the name Hot Streak II, this ripper is built on a 1957 Chevy cab. Technically the ‘57 cab isn’t a semi-truck, but it’s been reconfigured with a semi-truck cab, so we’re counting. Plus, it’s powered by jet engines, how could we not?!? This truck has two Westinghouse J34-48 jet engines and can hit 336 miles per hour in a full mile. Like Shockwave, this truck isn’t built for long-hauling — it can be found stealing the show at airshows and similar events, racing jets.
The Original Jet Truck
Source: https://www.dragzine.com/news/ageless-wonder-bob-motz-still-loves-going-fast-at-83-years-old/
Bob Motz’s Original Jet Truck set a course for a future that ultimately led to Shockwave. This unique Kenworth build is powered by a General Electric J79 jet engine that has pushed the truck to some unimaginable speeds — like 232 mph for 6.45 seconds. Hold on to your hat! You can find The Original Jet Truck still making the rounds at events like the Westfield Airshow.
What makes this truck really cool is the fact that its builder and owner — Bob Motz — was still taking her out for rips at 83 years old! Now, the truck is owned by the Kuhnle Brothers, and she’s still out there delighting crowds today. If it wasn’t for a pioneer like Motz, who knows what jet trucks would look like in 2023.
Volvo’s Iron Knight
Source: https://www.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/25/2016/08/Volvo-Iron-Knight-Truck-Side-2.jpg?w=542
“The Iron Knight” was created by Volvo and holds the title as the world’s fastest (non-jet powered) truck. The stats the truck achieved to earn this title are mind-blowing: a top speed of 171 mph, 1000 meters in just over 21 seconds, and 13.7 seconds for a 500-meter run. This beast can hit 62 mph in 4.6 seconds.
What powers these impressive numbers? A state-of-the-art D13 diesel engine paired with a water-cooled intercooler and four turbochargers produces 2400 horsepower and 6000 Nm of torque. This truck, like the others on this list so far, wasn’t built for commercial use — it’s strictly a flex by Volvo to show what their technology and engineering can achieve. You may notice how unique the design looks in the picture compared to a typical semi-truck, which is all with the intention of minimizing drag and wind resistance in order to get the most out of the powerful engine. The thing that any Volvo enthusiast will tell you, though, is that alongside these unique features and design modifications, this truck still has all of the thoughtful design and engineering you can expect from a factory standard Volvo truck. The brand is known throughout the personal and commercial automotive worlds for its commitment to quality, safety, and innovation.
The coolest part about the Iron Knight is that, even though it is heavily modified, it’s street-legal, which can’t be said about any of the jet trucks mentioned above. Could this design be a sign of the future of trucking?
Tesla Semi
Source: https://www.tesla.com/semi
The Tesla Semi can hit 60 mph in 20 seconds under a full load, and won’t falter from highway speeds even while climbing steep grades. The coolest thing about this addition to the list? It’s electric. Powered by three independent motors that deliver instant torque, this truck is responsive, snappy, and reliable. It also has impressive range. In a real-world test, the Semi did over 1,000 miles in a day. It’s worth mentioning again: this was with a battery! The standard model of the Semi has a 500-mile range, and can charge to 95% capacity within 30 minutes on a Tesla Megacharger. Many electric vehicle manufacturers suggest charging no higher than 80% when possible in order to maintain battery life, which you can do in under 30 minutes and get 400 miles out of the charge.
The truck is fast, and it’s also very luxurious. The cabin has two screens that give the driver on-demand information like navigation, blind spot monitoring, and real-time data logging. One thing that takes a little while to adjust to is the fact that the driver’s seat is centered, but once you get used to it, you’ll really enjoy the excellent visibility.
Tesla doesn’t state the top speed of this truck, but the fact that it can climb a 5% grade and not lose steam while moving 65 mph earns it a spot on this list.
The Mean Green
Another Volvo on this list is the Mean Green, a record-breaking hybrid truck — meaning it runs on a combination of battery power and diesel. The hybrid motor is a 2000-hp beast that can hit speeds of 167 mph, a record-holding speed that established the category of “Fastest Hybrid Semi-Truck.” Another example of Volvo redefining what is possible.
You might notice that Mean Green has very low clearance, which makes it a bad pick for hauling, but the body kit allows for improved aerodynamic efficiency that helps it put up such impressive speed numbers. At the Wendover Airfield in Utah in 2012, Mean Green ran at an average of 147 mph for a kilometer.
Again, Mean Green is such a great example of Volvo pushing the envelope when it comes to the intersection of sustainability and performance. A hybrid vehicle gives the driver the power of a diesel with the efficiency of an electric vehicle, which means that there is little sacrifice in terms of power, with a major advantage when it comes to fuel efficiency.
Save Time Without Speeding: Get Your Truck Serviced at Your Nearest LubeZone
LubeZone is a proud partner of many truckers out on the road, keeping the economy moving along. We offer a wide range of services, including oil changes, routine maintenance services, and more. We know that our trucker partners travel the roads at safe speeds, which is why it’s so important to stay efficient in all other areas, including downtime for routine maintenance services. We will have you in and out with a world-class oil change, oil inspection, and a number of other options available to you, all while you enjoy the comfort of our waiting rooms — we’ll have you back on the road in 40 minutes or less.
Our highly skilled technicians know what it takes to keep your rig running smoothly, and our work will help you keep your costs down by staying ahead on preventative maintenance to keep you from unexpected downtime due to avoidable issues. We have locations all across the country, and we’re here when you need us.
