TNT Express tests wing that cuts truck fuel consumption 6%

TNT Express has tested a new rear wing for one of its trucks, which it says has reduced the fuel consumption for the vehicle by 6%. The foldable, retractable “EcoTail” fits on the end of a truck’s trailer in order to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle as it travels.

Designed by Dutch company Ephicas and US firm ATDynamics, it has been tested by TNT Express over a five-month period on a truck traveling each day between the Dutch towns of Ede and Duiven.

The tests found that for each 100km traveled at speeds of up to 50mph (80 kph), fitting the EcoTail saved 1.65 litres of fuel.

Testing also showed that the EcoTail did not cause problems for the driver, cause delays in docking, loading or delivering, the companies said. The trailer did require a “simple” adjustment to the door hinges to prevent the slightly heavier doors from opening suddenly, however.

Gandert Van Raemdonck, the chief technical officer at Ephicas, said the companies were happy with the results of the tests.

“During the operational tests, the driver was not hindered at all, nor delayed because of the EcoTail. The results prove that a simple innovation can significantly reduce fuel consumption,” he said.

Irma Blanke, director of operations and services at TNT Express Benelux, said: “Savings on fuel cost is an interesting business case, but also helps us to reach our goal of reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of our operations.”

Regulations

In order to get the pilot underway, Ephicas had to get a temporary exemption from EU vehicle length limits, since the EcoTail adds 1.5 metres to a trailer’s length.

As the companies look to the next step in developing a finished product – testing the device in multiple vehicles – Ephicas said it is now in talks with policymakers in Brussels to see if regulations can be adjusted to exempt aerodynamic additions from the vehicle length restrictions.

California firm ATDynamics said about 5,000 similar “TrailerTails” have already been deployed on highways in the US, and it is expecting this number to swell to 50,000 by 2014.

The company said the “real workd” data from the TNT and Ephicas testing would allow fleets to feel confident in the rapid adoption of the technology.

Jeff Grossmann, ATDynamics vice president of engineering, said: “Accurate, real-world fuel efficiency testing is time consuming and expensive for the typical trucking fleet, and requires significant data monitoring.”