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How Trucks Will Increase Fuel Efficiency
In August 2011, the U.S. government revealed its first fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The emissions standards require big tractor-trailers to reach 20% better fuel efficiency by 2018 in an effort to cut down on carbon air pollutants.
Sure, sounds great, right? But how can truckers actually achieve this increased fuel efficiency? A truck is a clunky, heavy vehicle, after all.
It can be done, though. Changes in truck aerodynamics, reduction in overall mass and upgraded rolling resistance are all tactics that could produce substantial fuel economy improvements, according to a 2010 report by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Another noteworthy improvement is the “intelligent vehicle” system, which can decrease the amount of fuel a truck goes through by urging driver behavior modification that can help save fuel.
Why Increased Fuel Efficiency Brings Increased Savings
But becoming more fuel efficient is not just a win for the environment– it is also a win for your wallet. Fuel is the biggest expense for truck drivers. According to the AAA, the national average price of diesel in June was $3.83 per gallon. Because a truck has a fuel capacity of about 150 gallons, it would cost up to $575 per fill up at that rate.
That is pricey. So how can one cut down on the costs of fuel by upping they’re mpg’s? One way of saving on fuel costs is for truck drivers to manage their vehicles’ speed. Reducing speed to 60-65 mph is the typical sweet spot of fuel efficiency for many 18-wheelers on highways today, says Glen Kedzie, vice president of environmental affairs for the American Trucking Associations, a trade group headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. On average, a truck driving at 65 mph rather than 75 mph will see up to a 27% improvement in fuel consumption. “As a rule of thumb, for every one mile per hour increase in speed, there is a corresponding 0.14 mile-per-gallon (mpg) fuel consumption penalty,” Kedzie says.
“There are two key ways you can manage your speed. One is to do so voluntarily by simply slowing down. If you have a lead foot or otherwise are inclined to speed, you can have your truck’s ECM set so the road speed limiter restricts the truck to a practical speed,” says Jim Phillips, quality service manager for Equinox Business Solutions.
Another way to help save on fuel is to avoid adding unnecessary items to your truck as it already carries tens of thousands of pounds across thousands of miles each week. Extra stuff will add to the total weight your truck carries and will increase the amount of fuel needed to complete your trip. Also, keep in mind that monitoring tire pressure, avoiding rapid acceleration, and reducing idling are all strategies that will also help you save on fuel costs.
Looking for other ways to save on fuel? If so, then get in touch with Factor Finders. Fuel discount cards are a great way for truckers to save on fuel. Truckers can save thousands on fuel each year with fuel cards. They’re accepted at nearly all major fuel stops across the United States and Canada.
