Trucking gets things done. It moves food, drugs, consumer goods and everything imaginable from any imaginable Point A to any other Point B. Trucks are vital to construction and infrastructure projects, as well. Simply put, the modern Western world would not function without trucks, their drivers and the freight they carry. It’s also unfortunately true that most big rigs arent what scientists, environmentalists and economists would call “fuel efficient.”
There’s some credit due here many trucking companies install governors on their fleet vehicles to regulate speed for maximum fuel efficiency. They also plot the best, shortest routes and perform regular vehicle maintenance to keep their trucks in top shape. At some point, though, things will have to change. Fortunately, a German company called MAN is looking into the issue with an eye on tomorrow.
Aerodynamics
The Concept S truck and the Krone AeroLiner trailer have just joined forces. The Concept S was announced in 2012, but the addition of the trailer makes it complete. The truck/trailer combo looks like a bullet train made for the road, with its sleek rounded lines and futuristic design. Fortunately, it’s just as functional as it is fashionable. The Concept S was tweaked and finely tuned in a wind tunnel until the perfect amount of air resistance was acquired.
There’s some credit due here many trucking companies install governors on their fleet vehicles to regulate speed for maximum fuel efficiency. They also plot the best, shortest routes and perform regular vehicle maintenance to keep their trucks in top shape. At some point, though, things will have to change. Fortunately, a German company called MAN is looking into the issue with an eye on tomorrow.
Aerodynamics
The Concept S truck and the Krone AeroLiner trailer have just joined forces. The Concept S was announced in 2012, but the addition of the trailer makes it complete. The truck/trailer combo looks like a bullet train made for the road, with its sleek rounded lines and futuristic design. Fortunately, it’s just as functional as it is fashionable. The Concept S was tweaked and finely tuned in a wind tunnel until the perfect amount of air resistance was acquired.
- Air Resistance – According to Engineering News, overcoming wind/air resistance eats up 37% of any given truck’s total energy. That means there’s a lot of room for improvement there, as more energy expended results in more fuel spent and more CO2 emissions.
- Sleeker – The truck has a rounded front section, smaller mirrors and integrated fuel tanks. The tanks themselves have been streamlined, and a built-in, form-fitting spoiler has been placed on the cab’s roof. The spoiler bridges the space between cab and trailer, which allows for equally distributed airflow over the entire vehicle.
- Longer – The Concept S and AeroLiner are a little bit longer than a standard truck. The tapered rear end and sleeker front (especially the rounded radiator) require some additional length. It’s a small amount that’s well worth it—the vehicle is a marvel of reduced emissions and fuel economy.
Fuel Efficiency
Aerodynamics lead to better fuel efficiency and aerodynamics are something that the Concept S has in spades. Better fuel economy means more profits for trucking companies and lower shipping costs for senders and receivers, and those savings are eventually passed on to the average consumer as well.
Aerodynamics lead to better fuel efficiency and aerodynamics are something that the Concept S has in spades. Better fuel economy means more profits for trucking companies and lower shipping costs for senders and receivers, and those savings are eventually passed on to the average consumer as well.
- Less Petrol – The Concept S cuts overall fuel consumption by a whopping 25%. That’s a big number for an industry that’s been struggling with fuel economy and crippling gas prices. Less money spent on gas is passed onto drivers through earnings and passed on to consumers through lower prices.
- Less is More – The truck has the same low drag coefficient as a typical passenger vehicle, but it also carries just as much freight as its less-aerodynamic cousins. The truck is much more fuel efficient but doesnt sacrifice any load capacity, which is a win-win for trucking companies.
- A Perfect Whole – As mentioned previously, the fuel tanks are built in for optimum airflow. The spoiler helps with wind resistance directly, and also helps by closing the gap between cab and trailer. Everything is a functional part of the big picture.
A Better Future
All of these factors have to add up to something, and that something is a cleaner, more efficient and less polluted future. Trucking companies understand that fuel economy helps the bottom line, but they also know that keeping an eye on carbon emissions is the right thing to do. They have to live on this planet too, after all.
All of these factors have to add up to something, and that something is a cleaner, more efficient and less polluted future. Trucking companies understand that fuel economy helps the bottom line, but they also know that keeping an eye on carbon emissions is the right thing to do. They have to live on this planet too, after all.
- Clean Cut – The Concept S cuts CO2 emissions by 25%, which is no small feat. Reduced carbon emissions mean that the environmental cost of moving freight on land is dramatically lessened. It becomes cheap, efficient and much cleaner.
- Legality – Cutting pollutants isnt just the right thing to do—it’s becoming the law. Many countries have increased expectations from businesses in regards to pollution, and trucking companies are at the forefront.
- Infrastructure – Light rail systems are great, but they require additional development and infrastructure. New trucks, on the other hand, just need to be manufactured and put on the road. Both the Concept S cab and the AeroLiner trailer can function with conventional trucks and containers, which make them very versatile. MAN is making it easy for companies to update their fleets and seamlessly integrate more fuel efficient vehicles into their business model. It’s quick, easy and clean.
The Concept S and AeroLiner won’t solve all of the world’s problems, but they will ease some very real burdens on the trucking industry. Trucks and their freight are a vital part of our modern society—we wouldnt have goods and groceries without them, and our roads would be in complete shambles. Big Rigs, by nature, guzzle gas. Some forward think companies don’t think it has to be that way, however, and are trying to make a positive impact that works for the environment, the consumer and the trucking industry itself.
We can all agree that we want a cleaner planet and lower prices at the market. Trucking companies need to turn a profit, and before the advent of this new style of rig it’s been difficult for them to make money and be environmentally conscious at the same time. The Concept S and the AeroLiner might just give the trucking industry the boost it needs.
We can all agree that we want a cleaner planet and lower prices at the market. Trucking companies need to turn a profit, and before the advent of this new style of rig it’s been difficult for them to make money and be environmentally conscious at the same time. The Concept S and the AeroLiner might just give the trucking industry the boost it needs.
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