Emissions regulations, coupled with fuel economy features and driver amenities, have added about 1,000 lbs to a typical Class 8 truck. In addition, denser freight has resulted in a need for increased payloads. However, fleets have been reluctant to invest in technologies to reduce vehicle weight. This is because different segments of the trucking industry value lightweighting differently, depending on the value they can get from adding additional freight into each truckload.
The latest Confidence Report released by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency and Carbon War Room explores the benefits and challenges of lightweighting for Class 8 tractors and trailers. While the majority of bulk carriers have already invested in the lightweighting technologies that meet their upfront cost tolerances, current trends in the industry may make it worthwhile for greater numbers of reefer and dry van routes to invest in lightweighting. This is especially true if lightweighting is looked at not just based on fuel efficiency but also based on freight efficiency—moving the most tons of freight for least total gallons of fuel.
The report covers available lightweighting technologies across different cost ranges, and estimates the amount of weight that can be saved when using each of these technologies. The report also contains a Confidence Matrix that expresses the study team’s confidence in lightweighting across all categories of fleets from dry van units to refrigerator units to bulk carriers.
About Confidence Reports
This report is part of our Confidence Report series, intended to help end users and manufacturers determine whether to adopt a specific technology or set of solutions.
The series includes tire pressure systems, 6x2 axle configurations, idle reduction technology, electronically controlled transmissions, programmable engine parameters, and upcoming reports on downspeeding, preventive maintenance, aerodynamics, lubricants and more.
Check out the report: http://www.truckingefficiency.org/tractor-aerodynamics/weight-reduction-tractors
