Truck manufacturers International, Freightliner LLC, Mack and Volvo, who own 75 percent of the U.S market for Class 8 vehicles, have teamed up with
the U.S. Department of Energy. Their goal is to study and test components and systems that could reduce drag and significantly improve the fuel economy of these massive vehicles.
Apparently, some new ways of making substantial savings have been found. For example, shortening the gap between the truck and the trailer noticeably reduces drag. Lateral skirts and aerodynamic side mirrors also help.
The combined impact of these improvements on a truck can reduce drag by 23 percent. And with each 2-percent reduction, fuel consumption drops one percent. If all semi-trailer trucks were thusly improved, over one billion gallons of fuel could be saved in the United States alone. That's quite remarkable!
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Apparently, some new ways of making substantial savings have been found. For example, shortening the gap between the truck and the trailer noticeably reduces drag. Lateral skirts and aerodynamic side mirrors also help.
The combined impact of these improvements on a truck can reduce drag by 23 percent. And with each 2-percent reduction, fuel consumption drops one percent. If all semi-trailer trucks were thusly improved, over one billion gallons of fuel could be saved in the United States alone. That's quite remarkable!