A session of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) Truck Research Utilizing Collaborative Knowledge (TRUCK) program (CERC-TRUCK program) was held in Tianjin in December. Government representatives and consortium representatives from China and the U.S. including Lv Jia (Deputy Director, Division of Americas and Oceania, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology) and Shu Gequn, (Tianjin University Vice President and Director of CERC-TRUCK program from China), Robert Marlay (U.S. Director of the CERC and Director of the Office of International Science & Technology Collaboration of the U.S. Department of Energy) and Thomas Wallner, U.S. Director of the CERC-TRUCK program, and about forty others, attended the meeting.

The necessity for and significance of cooperation in the truck field were stressed in the speeches made by representatives from both parties at the meeting. Improving the energy efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty trucks was the important focus for technology cooperation as confirmed by the Presidents from the two countries. Both sides hoped CERC-TRUCK would establish comprehensive cooperation mechanisms covering theory, technology, research ability and personnel based on mutual benefit and seek to become pioneers in Sino-US medium- and heavy-duty truck development.

During the meeting, consensus was reached on successive U.S. & Chinese consortia meetings for joint planning and technology management following representatives having in-depth discussions about the organizational structures, work plans, intellectual property and management specifications. Breakthroughs and progress would be expected to be made in key technologies including internal combustion engines, power-transmission systems and energy management for a higher truck energy efficiency.

CERC is a Presidential initiative launched in November 2009. Its mission is to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies for the benefit of both countries, and to facilitate technical collaboration in mutually agreed areas and accelerate transition to an efficient and low‐carbon economy, while mitigating the long‐term threat of climate change.

CERC-TRUCK program was announced in September 2015 by President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This track will expand on the current CERC efforts that focus on the development and deployment of clean vehicles, building energy efficiency, advanced coal technologies for carbon capture, utilization and sequestration, and the water-related aspects of energy production and use.