Improved Aerodynamics Saves Fuel, Study Finds
recently-completed study by truck manufacturer Mack finds that truckers could improve their fuel economy by up to 8% by improving the aerodynamics of their tractors and trailers.
The study shows that enclosing the gap between tractor and trailer and adding such aerodynamic accoutrements as trailer-length “side skirts” and drag reducing, rear-mounted “boat tails” can decrease overall fuel use, Mack said Tuesday in a statement.
Mark Kachmarsky, Mack’s chief project manager of product range management, said the truck maker is looking into developing a working “gap enclosure” based on the prototype used in the study.