Fuel Efficiency

Fuel is one of the largest expenses for trucking fleets, making conservation strategies essential for long-term profitability. By leveraging technology such as fleet fuel cards, AI-powered route optimization, and real-time driver monitoring, fleets can reduce waste, improve efficiency, and prevent fuel fraud. Implementing preventative maintenance, minimizing idling, and optimizing routes are key to ensuring every gallon is used effectively. With fluctuating diesel prices and tightening margins, adopting a data-driven fuel management approach is necessary for survival in today’s trucking industry.

The fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia is not dramatically different from the current model but it brings some driver-friendly changes.

Three freighter operators are among the early adopters of an innovative aircraft coating inspired by sharks that makes aircraft more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient.

Negative driving behaviors — including speeding, rapid acceleration and harsh braking — can have a serious impact on fuel economy and, ultimately, a carrier’s bottom line.

Trucking technology company ConMet has acquired Truck Labs, whose aerodynamic TruckWings save 3%-6% on a fleet’s fuel bill.

The typical Class 8 truck gets less than 7 miles per gallon on the highway. How does a driver average more than 10 mpg?

Navistar’s S13 integrated powertrain will be the truck manufacturer’s last internal combustion engine as the trucking industry decarbonizes.

Bob Bortner of IMI dives into the most effective fuel-saving strategies when combating exorbitant fuel prices.

Your weekly fuel report has arrived!

Your weekly fuel report has arrived!

Your weekly fuel report has arrived!

Your weekly fuel report has arrived!

Your weekly fuel report has arrived!

Your weekly fuel report has arrived!

Every gallon of fuel saved can lead to savings that affect the bottom line for fleets

The number of idling vessels has roughly doubled in the past decade, in part due to port congestion, a recent study finds. Idling vessels are at higher risk of biofouling, especially in warm waters.

Buying a high-MPG vehicle saves you money at the pump – and there’s less carbon pollution too!

Diesel is the most energy-dense transportation fuel

CSX will be using Wabtec’s technology aimed at reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency for locomotives.

KeepTruckin has unveiled Fuel Hub, a telematics-based machine learning tool that can help identify drivers and vehicles that may be using more fuel than needed.

See How You Can Improve Your Fuel Economy in Hot Weather

“First Class I railroad in North America to issue green bonds,” Norfolk Southern shares plans for environmental projects.

A recent survey conducted by Convoy highlights how truck drivers, dispatchers and owner-operators view different sustainable trucking issues and regulations.

Old-school aerodynamics technologies such as TruckWings can contribute to economic and environmental sustainability.

Wabash National discloses Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions in its first sustainability report.

Truck drivers and other transportation workers deemed “essential” by the U.S. government could be among the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if supplies are limited.

While each fuel-efficient conveyance may consume less fuel per mile, the cost savings may induce more miles to be driven.

Two years following its initial cross-country journey, Shell has announced its updated Starship concept tractor-trailer combination will make a second trip in early 2021.

Trucking is going sustainable. Find out the details on AFVs, FTLs, automation and what new regulations to expect next year.

E-commerce and faster shipping times are in high demand. Air cargo results in carbon dioxide, sulfur and particulate matter emissions. Here are five ways aviation is expected to counteract the negative environmental impacts in 2021.

The conversion of natural gas to electricity is not the secret sauce for Hyliion’s drivelines for heavy-duty hybrid trucks. It’s the software that efficiently manages the power.

The first of 31 giants of the sky in British Airways’ fleet says goodbye.

Agency estimates $4 billion in cost savings from hours-of-service changes.

The varied duty cycles of regional haul trucks doesn’t prioritize fuel savings – the second-largest operating expense – according to the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.

Plummeting prices make ExxonMobil’s fuel system-friendly diesel formulation that eliminates additives and reduces NOx emissions a better deal.

DOT’s final rule could mean millions fewer zero-emissions electric vehicles sold.

Recent Volvo Truck innovations in the U.S., and a new truck line in Europe continue to focus on driver comfort and keeping vehicles and drivers productive.

FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller writes about methods to lower diesel fuel expenses for large and small trucking companies.

Truck manufacturers claim improved aerodynamics could save a driver up to 400 gallons of fuel a year.

Jacobs Vehicle Systems is introducing a new engine brake designed for lower rpms as well as two new technologies for improving fuel economy and reducing cabin shake upon engine shutdown. This specially wrapped truck will tour the country in 2020 to showcase the technologies.

“Flight shaming” campaigns failed to recognize that airlines only account for 2 percent of global carbon emissions.

All you need to know about maximizing fuel efficiency

Understanding all of your options when it comes to improving driver comfort

Partially synthetic lower viscosity 10W-30 and 5W-30 oils are supplanting the industry standard 15W-40 heavy-duty oil. The new formulas cost more but can bring up to 2 percent better fuel economy with longer intervals between changes.

Already the undisputed Class 8 sales leader, the 2020 Freightliner Cascadia arriving this fall is a technological tour de force that allows the truck to do most of the work of driving.

Amazon nears U.S. release for Prime Air drone deliveries.

The ultimate guide to putting your money towards the most efficient trucks in the industry

Ten regional haul fleets will participate in NACFE’s Run on Less Regional challenge to measure fuel efficiency and other metrics in real-world operation.

About C$12 million in federal and provincial funding will support fuel-saving devices and retrofitting.

The funds will be used to accelerate the company’s efforts to improve fuel efficiency in the trucking industry.

addvantage USA injects a specific amount of LPG in the engine air intake to increase fuel efficiency and reduce NOx emissions.

When Daimler Trucks North America introduced its 2020 model year Freightliner New Cascadia. all attention was focused on the eye-opening headline: it is a Level 2 autonomous truck. While that is the sexy part of the truck, an even sexier headline for fleets should be the advances in fuel efficiency in the new model.

International Trucks has introduced a new spec package for its LT Series that it says will increase fuel efficiency by up to 8%.

Peterbilt Motor Company has added two additional ratings to its MX-13 engine family for the 2019 model year, both aimed at increasing uptime and improving fuel economy for truck owners.

Mike Roeth, executive director of NACFE, spoke last week at the Meritor/P.S.I. Fleet Technology Event, telling the audience that one of the lessons he learned from NACFE’s Run on Less program in 2016 was that drivers still have plenty of influence over fuel economy, despite technology advances.

How good is the technology and powertrains on modern tractors? A group of journalists driving similarly spec’d Mack Anthem sleeper models, achieved over 8 mpg – even as high as 10.5 for one day – with the trucks on a three-day run from Asheville, NC, to New Orleans.

Beyond the Technology presented by LaunchIt Public Relations …Whether they are ordering brand new trucks or deciding which tires to purchase, fleet managers have a lot of choices to make. They are often making these choices while working to meet particular fuel efficiency objectives. That is where Vnomics comes in.

Shell and Airflow are preparing to launch their futuristic, carbon fiber Starship truck on a cross-country voyage to prove just how efficient diesel can be. We just don’t know if this concept is scaleable.

For all the innovations, the focus remains on driver comfort and safety.

Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) is pushing a vehicle miles tax in Washington as the solution to funding road and infrastructure improvements rather than raising fuel taxes.

Changes could be coming soon to the SmartWay Transport Partnership program, and they may include a number of new designations, including recognition of day cabs in the program for the first time.

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency provided more details into its Run on Less challenge from last fall that showed a real-world truck could achieve 10 mpg.

Thor describes themselves as a “transportation lab with a goal of tackling fleet management problems.”

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay program has recognized 48 carriers, retailers, manufacturers and logistics companies with its SmartWay Excellence Awards.

As its Tractor AeroKit continues to gain acceptance – it is now installed at the factory by three truck OEMs – FlowBelow has continued to look for new ways to improve aerodynamic performance of tractor-trailer units.

All week at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, nearly every presenter has mentioned electric trucks and the growing electrification of the trucking industry. So, it was no surprise when solar company eNow noted how it too could help with these growing electric needs.

Ryder System will install automatic tire inflation systems on its vehicles through an agreement with Aperia Technologies. Aperia’s Halo Tire Inflators will be included as a standard spec on Ryder’s heavy-duty rental fleet.

Mack Trucks executives updated general market conditions before officially unveiling its new Anthem long-haul model on Tuesday at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The myth of the 10-mpg truck has been proven wrong thanks to a group of seven drivers with seven differently equipped tractor-trailers driving for seven different companies.

Mack Trucks has a new Anthem that incorporates all that the Mack Bulldog stands for – strength, loyalty, and American made. Mack introduced the new Anthem model, complete with its own song, at a special unveiling event in Allentown. 

After seeing the fleet-wide fuel economy average climb 3% in 2015, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) says that the increase reported in its Annual Fleet Fuel Study was not as dramatic for 2016.

Fleets outfitting their tractors with 6×2 axle are still finding benefits, but adoption of the configuration has been slow according to a North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and Carbon War Room update to its 2013 Confidence Report on 6×2 axles.

Calling it the “most innovative, most exciting trucks from Volvo in 20 years,” Volvo Trucks North America officially took the wraps of its updated VNL family of trucks.

Volvo Trucks this week introduced its updated VNL series, provided additional updates on its recently introduced VNR series, and showed off its new Customer Center at its growing Dublin, VA, facility.

Seven fleets will participate in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s Run on Less program to showcase the benefits of fuel-saving technologies.