The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/221397
a number of various factors like GPS data, topography, road data, etc. The system takes these variables and transforms them into formulas and algorithms and communicates with the truck's ECM to apply (or not) the throttle based on approaching inclines and declines on the road." Peterbilt's Sproull predicts the next set of regs will bring "a step change in tires. You may even see such tires mandated for on-highway use, he says. And we'll likely see continuing adoption of wide-based single tires for operations where it makes sense. Lighter weight materials will save fuel and/or increase payload. The TMC survey suggested dynamic control of the trailer gap and fifth wheel height. We'll likely see the demise of terms of aerodynamics." Efforts will focus more on the tractor-trailer as a whole, he says. Strategies will include managing the air flow between the tractor and the trailer, under the trailer and coming off the rear of the trailer. Volvo's Long agrees, and says if the EPA doesn't bring trailers into the picture, California could mandate advanced trailer designs. Brian Tabel, spokesman for Isuzu, believes we also will see medium-duty vehicles become more streamlined. Isuzu partnered with Supreme a few years ago to build a lightweight, composite and aerodynamic Aero Body. The Great Recession led to its discontinuation, but Tabel believes the idea will gain traction in the future. There are many more ideas truck makers are working on to squeeze every last bit of fuel economy they can. "We're going to be trying to capture those bits and pieces of fuel economy improvement, because a lot of the low-hanging fruit has been captured," says Scott Perry, Ryder's VP of purchasing. Long believes the next step of federal GHG regs will lead to the proliferation of low-rolling-resistance external antennas, as we already have on the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution. And cameras could replace rearview mirrors, as they did on Freightliner's Revolution concept truck. Navistar's Project Horizon concept vehicle at the 2013 Mid-America Trucking Show featured grille bars that open and close based on cooling demands. "The dynamic grille bars reduce aerodynamic drag by creating the right balance between the air entering the cooling module and traveling around the vehicle," Schrier explains. Idle reduction will continue to gain adoption as systems continue to improve. Auxiliary power units, auxiliary heater units, battery-powered HVAC systems, auto start/stop battery management systems are all available right now, says Schrier, and will continue to gain traction in future trucks. Battery-powered, diesel-powered, even fuel-cell-powered systems were seen as likely players by TMC survey respondents. We could even see widespread use of solar power idle reduction, as eNow has already introduced. 38 HDT • DECEMBER 2013 'RIGHT-SIZED' VEHICLES AND ENGINES Fleets are realizing that they may be able to save fuel and upfront purchase costs by spec'ing a smaller or less powerful vehicle that more closely fits their needs, and that trend is likely to continue. For instance, right now we're seeing a move from 15 liters to 13 liters for Class 8 on-highway trucks. Jeffress wonders if engine designers eventually may work the same magic with 11-liter engines. The same is true for the lower classes of trucks. "Look at the horsepower and torque we're getting out of a fourcylinder engine that's delivering 200 horsepower and 285 or 300 poundsfeet of torque to do a job in a Class 5 vehicle," says Todd Bloom, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America. In medium-duty, many fleets are moving to smaller-class vehicles. Isuzu's Tabel says people "are re-evaluating how their trucks are driven. Something they would always use a Class 6 or 7 for, now they're coming down to a Class 5. They've always bought big, heavy-duty trucks so they ensure they've got everything covered. Now they're looking at how they can put more fuel-efficient trucks on different routes." Bloom describes this as a "trend to use the right vehicle for the right job." "Instead of getting more truck than you need so you'll never be overloaded, it makes more sense to get that loaded 90% every day," he says. "If you need more for the busy season, you can go out and rent what you need." www.truckinginfo.com