New trailer cuts fuel consumption by 6-8%

Last week saw the launch by Barloworld Logistics of its new Green Trailer, an interlink taut liner trailer combination that will reduce fuel consumption by 6-8% over the next six months, according to Barloworld Logistics divisional director Francois van Rensburg. “In the South African context, transport is responsible for approximately 13% (CSIR study) of South Africa’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The research for the green trailer was conducted on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban where vehicles do a round trip of 1 160 km on a dedicated route every 24 hours and 98% of the route is on the N3 and N2,” Van Rensburg told FTW at the official launch in Johannesburg. “This means that the vehicles maintain a much more constant speed compared to those operating on secondary roads or in urban areas. This also means that the effects of wind resistance are higher than on any other route.” Initial research in the UK revealed that a fuel saving of 20.4% could be achieved by a curtainsider teardrop rigid travelling at a constant speed of 80 km/h. A saving of 10.1% could be achieved by a curtainsider semitrailer that was travelling at 63 km/h. The initial simulations based on the green trailer research have shown that once all these changes were made there was a 35% reduction in the total drag when travelling at a constant speed between 70 and 80 km/h. The primary research was done by the CSIR, and the design by Barloworld Logistics. The aerodynamic changes were built by Afrit, which was responsible for structural changes, and Aerotruck, which manufactured all the aerodynamic components. “All changes that we made to the green trailer are within the bounds of current legislation,” said Van Rensburg. The reduced fuel consumption is however unlikely to result in reduced freight rates – the benefits to the customer will be in reduced carbon emissions, while the savings achieved in fuel consumption will compensate for research and development costs.