New trucking confidence report released on transmissions

Transmission technologies can mitigate fuel costs and the driver shortage, two issues that have plagued fleet owners, according to a new Trucking Efficiency Confidence Report released by the NAFCE and the Carbon War Room.

The report looks at electronically-controlled transmissions, and it concludes that fleets can realize a 1-3 percent fuel economy improvement when they switch to automated manual transmissions. These transmissions also expand the pool of potential drivers significantly, improve driver recruitment and help retain drivers already on the payroll.

The report also documents the benefits and challenges of electronically controlled transmissions, provides information on products currently on the market, and offers end-user perspectives and experiences. There are two types of electronically-controlled transmissions on the market: automated manuals and automatics. While fleets tend to use the word “automatics” to describe any electronically-controlled transmission, the report defines the two types and makes distinctions about their acceptance and use.

The report also contains three key tools to help in the decision-making process:

• A confidence matrix for comparing the study team’s confidence in the technology vs. the payback a fleet should expect to receive from adopting it into their fleet.
• A payback calculator for comparing two or more of the situations and/or equipment selections available to a fleet, using its own data or best estimates.
• A comparison chart detailing features of the electronically-controlled transmissions currently on the market.

To download the report, visit http://www.truckingefficiency.org/powertrain/automated-manual-transmissions