Trucking efficiency experts from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency discussed their strategies for achieving double-digit fuel economy numbers at the Mid-America Trucking Show, as diesel prices average over $4. Three drivers from NACFE’s first Run on Less event achieved over ten mpg and shared advice on maximizing fuel efficiency.
Aerodynamic investments can save up to 15% in fuel, according to owner-operator Henry Albert of Albert Transport. During a MATS panel, he asked, “With all the battles we have to fight in this industry, why to pick a fight with the air?” Albert recommends fleets and drivers look for dirty spots—“anything that kills bugs”—which indicate high vacuum and to optimize their trailer gap to about 18 inches from the cab extender to the trailer. He installed a nose cone on the trailer, which sealed the vacuum and no longer gets the back of his cab dirty.
Albert considers trailer skirts a “no-brainer” for fuel efficiency, recommending straight skirts as the most aerodynamic. He was surprised by the efficiency gains of a trailer tail from a provider claiming 5-7%, further improving his fuel savings by 6.8%: even the license plate placement and, most fact, fuel savings. Most manufacturers can now mount the license plate on the rear buckplate.
Clark Reed, a driver with Nussbaum Transportation, said idling is the most significant fuel waste and expressed frustration when he sees drivers needlessly idling at truck stops. Reed got his idling under 1% with APUs and other technologies, including Freighliner’s ParkSmart HVAC system, solar panels, electric mattress heaters, and fans. Nussbaum now incentivizes habits instead of MPG. “The problem with that is, if you have a couple of bad days because the wind is fighting you because you’ve got heavy loads, all the driver sees is that MPG number and feels they are losing money,” said Reed.
According to Reed, Nussbaum can maintain fuel savings without accounting for variables such as wind speed and terrain, with the bonus of increased safety. Joel Morrow, CEO of Alpha Drivers Testing & Consulting, extolled the virtues of downsped powertrains, noting that they have fewer emissions systems problems and reduce maintenance costs. He said that the fuel efficiency benefit and reduction in maintenance costs make downsped powertrains a “no-brainer.”
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