The ever-increasing cost of fuel is causing UK hauliers to search for ways to reduce their trucks’ thirst – but just how much of a saving can be made?
Let’s start with aerodynamics, which according to the government’s free help booklet entitled The Streamlined Guide to Truck Aerodynamic Styling, can improve fuel economy by some 12%. Then what about the Concept Truck (pictured) that Iveco had towering over its stand at Hanover?
Apparently by adopting a Ferrari-inspired air kit on the tractor and trailer you can reduce fuel consumption by some 15%.
While we are on the subject of trailers, you have to have a sloping roof these days. Not only are they the height of fashion these days, but we are told that they’re 12% better on fuel than regular double-deckers.
And don’t forget about your tyres. According to Volvo some 70% of all tyres are under-inflated, resulting in a huge waste of fuel. It reckons its Tyre Pressure Monitoring system has the potential to save you a fortune. And the type of tyre you buy plays an apparently crucial roll too. Michelin says its Energy tyres will save you a further 6%, and Bridgestone claims it has an even more fuel efficient solution. And what about super-singles? Aren’t they supposed to be worth another couple of percent?
Shell says its Rimula Super FE semi-synthetic oil will give you another 2% improvement. And then there’s the numerous fuel additive press releases that appear in my in-box every week – which make some quite amazing claims.
You could also try clawing back another few percent by following the European initiative and closing the gap between the tractor and trailer or maybe reduce your speed limiter to 52mph. According to Deben Transport this has just cut its fuel bill by 5%.
Unfortunately my calculator has been lost under a mountain of press releases collected at Hanover last week, so I’m unable to work out exactly how much of an improvement this little lot comes to. Although at a guess I’d say that if you were to implement them all, your truck would generate its own diesel.