The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and Carbon War Room issued an update to its Confidence Report on 6x2 axles. This is the first time NACFE has convened a new study team of experts to investigate a technology on which it has already issued a Confidence Report. This is due to refinements in the way fleets are implementing 6x2 axles and the accompanying technologies that are being used alongside 6x2s.
“The fuel-savings potential, combined with a skeptical industry on the technology, has spurred some interesting innovations with respect to 6x2s,” says Mike Roeth, Executive Director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, and Operation Lead of Trucking Efficiency.
“While we found that the fuel savings benefits as well as the challenges from the original report are largely still true, new product refinements are coming to the market that are aimed at addressing some of the concerns fleets had about 6x2 axles,” says Yunsu Park, NACFE study team manager. “For instance, fleets dedicated to 6x2s are improving tire wear by changing the tire models they use and limiting the torque when launching the truck. Also, driver training is a significant part of a successful 6x2 implementation.”
The study team identified three generations of 6x2 products, focusing special attention on Generation III products, which contain liftable pusher axles, automatic load-sensing/load shifting, and traction control. The original study published in 2003 concluded that adoption of 6x2 axles would double every year. This has not happened in large part because the challenges and consequences of switching to 6x2 were greater than the original study team anticipated. In addition, lower diesel prices have stretched out the payback period. The new report concludes that 6x2s still play a key role in improving freight efficiency, but the benefits are not as obvious as they previously were. However, manufacturers are continuing to work on improving their offerings, and fleets that have invested in 6x2s continue to do so. “Those fleets dedicated to 6x2s and exploiting the various opportunities are finding they return their investment,” concludes Mike Roeth, Trucking Efficiency operation lead. 6x2 axles are one of several technologies that will be featured during Run on Less—a first-of-its-kind cross-country roadshow to showcase advancements in fuel efficiency.
For more information about the updated 6X2 Confidence Report, visit truckingefficiency.org.
