How improved aerodynamics can be a gamechanger for road freight

As road transport seeks to become more sustainable, much of the discussion focuses on what powers the truck: diesel, HVO100, electricity or something else. But the energy source is only part of the equation. Here is why aerodynamics matter.

For long-haul transport, there are several places where energy is lost. Rolling resistance, vehicle weight and aerodynamic drag all increase the amount of fuel or electricity needed to move the same goods over the same distance.

This makes energy efficiency relevant regardless of drivetrain. A diesel truck uses less fuel. A truck running on HVO100 uses less renewable fuel. And for an electric truck, lower energy consumption can mean more range from the same battery.

Less resistance at motorway speeds

Aerodynamics is a good example of where relatively small changes quickly add up. At motorway speeds, a truck spends a considerable amount of energy simply overcoming air resistance. Some of that resistance comes from the front of the vehicle, but turbulence underneath and behind the trailer also plays a role.

Read more: Trailer skirts: how does it work?

Trailer side skirts reduce the amount of turbulent air moving underneath the trailer. Independent testing of the Dymaxa side skirts used by Begoma has shown fuel savings of 4 to 5 percent.

The same approach can be seen in our new Berger Ecotrail with Ecofix, used on regular traffic between Sweden and Italy.

Read more: Begoma and Schmitz Cargobull launch new fuel-efficient semi-trailer

Aerodynamic improvements on the sloped roof are one part of the design. Lower weight and one fewer axle reduce energy losses in other ways. Together, these measures allow us to reduce fuel consumption while still using the trailer for its actual transport task: carrying steel coils southbound and conventional freight on the return journey.

Altogether, our new semi-trailer saves more than 10 percent fuel compared to conventional road transport.

Making necessary road transport more efficient

More rail and intermodal transport, alternative fuels and electrification will all be important in reducing emissions from freight transport. But conventional road transport will remain part of the mix, due to the nature of many types of goods that need to be transported.

That is why efficiency is a useful principle regardless of which technology comes next. The less energy lost along the way, the more efficient the transport becomes. Improving the aerodynamics is a great way to get there.