A report by the Scania Transport Laboratory believes it will be possible to reduce fuel consumption for heavy long haul trucks to below 20L per hundred kilometres.
The laboratory says the right vehicle with an uncompromising focus on driver behaviour and using systems like the computer-based Scania Driver Support system will reduce fuel consumption to very low levels.
“On our best trips between Sweden and the Netherlands, we have reached 18.2L per hundred kilometres, a level that many say is impossible,” said Anders Gustavsson, Managing Director of the Scania Transport Laboratory.
The trucks used by the Transport Laboratory are used to haul freight and components between the Scania production units in Sodertalje in Sweden and Zwolle in the Netherlands. Using 65 drivers, 20 prime movers and 75 trailers, the operation also uses competitor trucks to get real world comparisons.
Apart from consistent driver training that reinforces good driver behaviour to maximise fuel use, the fleet also uses high rear axle gear ratios to reduce rpm levels at cruising speed and have fitted boat tail air deflectors to the rear of the trailers.