Trailer skirts: how does it work?

Trailer skirts can decrease the fuel consumption by 4-7 percent. A feat that proves all the more important when our sector takes on the challenge of decreasing our climate impact. This is how it works.

As mentioned previously by our Managing Director, Henrik Malmberg, Begoma is in the process of implementing trailer skirts to our trailer fleet. This decision is a part of our bigger mission to cut our CO2 emissions in half by 2030.

– By adding trailer skirts, we will decrease the aerodynamic resistance and in turn decrease the amount of fuel needed for our trailers. This is good news, both financially and for the climate, said Henrik Malmberg back in July.

So how does it work?

How it works

Trailer skirts might not look flashy, but they do a clever job. By covering the open space under a trailer, they tame the chaotic air that would normally whip around beneath the truck. The result? Less drag, smoother airflow, and a noticeable drop in fuel use when cruising down the highway.

In simple terms: less turbulence equals less resistance, and less resistance means every drop of fuel takes you further down the road.

By taking this step, the fuel consumption needed can be reduced by 4-7 percent. But that is not all. Drivers often notice the difference too. Trailers feel steadier in crosswinds and there’s less messy spray on wet roads.

In both North America and Australia, the majority of long-haul semi-trailers already use trailer skirts to improve their efficiency. In Europe, we clearly lag behind. At Begoma, we want to change this by taking this small, but important step.