^SmartWay5
Transport Partnership
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
A Glance at
Clean Freight Strategies
Weight Reduction
Choosing lighter-weight tractor and trailer components can reduce truck weight by thousands of pounds. Reducing
3,000 pounds from a heavy truck could save between 200 and 500 gallons of fuel each year, eliminating from 2
to 5 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
What is the challenge?
Truck fuel consumption increases with the weight
of the vehicle. Many truck components are typically
made of heavier material, such as steel. Heavier
trucks require more fuel to accelerate and to climb
hills, and may reduce the amount of cargo that can
be carried.
What is the solution?
Every 10 percent drop in truck weight reduces fuel
use between 5 and 10 percent. Generally, an
empty truck makes up about one-third of the total
weight of the truck. Using aluminum, metal alloys,
metal matrix composites, and other lightweight
components where appropriate can reduce empty
truck weight (known as "tare weight"), improve fuel
efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Most truck manufacturers offer lightweight tractor
models that are 1,000 or more pounds lighter than
comparable models. Lighter-weight models
combine different weight-saving options that may
include:
• Cast aluminum alloy wheels can save 40
pounds each for total savings of 400
pounds
• Aluminum axle hubs can save over 120
pounds compared to ductile iron or steel
• Centrifuse brake drums can save nearly
100 pounds compared to standard brake
drums
• Aluminum clutch housing can save 50
pounds compared to iron clutch housing
• Composite front axle leaf springs can save
70 pounds compared to steel springs
• Aluminum cab frames can save hundreds of
pounds compared to standard steel frames
• Downsizing to a smaller, lighter-weight
engine can save over 700 pounds
Truck trailers offer additional options for weight
savings. Lightweight components that can reduce
empty trailer weight by 2,000 pounds or more may
include:
• Aluminum roof posts can save
approximately 75 pounds
• Aluminum floor joists can save about 300
pounds
• Aluminum upright posts can save
approximately 600 pounds
• Aluminum hubs and wheels can save about
900 pounds
Lighter-weight alternative materials can cost more.
According to truck retailers, lighter-weight truck
tractors cost about $2,000 more than comparable
standard models. Trailer manufacturers report a
similarcost premium. Therefore, use of lighter-weight
truck options is more common in freight applications
that are weight-sensitive, like heavy-goods and
refrigerated foods. However, virtually any truck fleet
could employ weight saving strategies.
The results are in ...
Trimming 3,000 pounds from a heavy truck (about
four percent of its loaded weight) with lighter-weight
components could improve fuel economy by up to 3
percent and save between 200 and 500 gallons of
fuel each year. Saving this much fuel would eliminate
between 2 to 5 metric tons of greenhouse gas
emissions per year. Trucks that employ more weight-
saving options would save more. In addition, in
weight-sensitive applications, lightweight components
can allow more cargo and increased productivity.
Next steps
When specifying new trucks, trucking fleets should
considerthe lightest-weight components that will suit
the application and where appropriate, buy lighter-
weight versions of standard truck models. One
manufacturer, for example, offers a day-cab tractor
that weighs 2,100 pounds less than the base model.
Another manufacturer offers a 1,200 pound lighter
version of a popular sleeper model, intended for dry
and liquid bulk haulers as well as other weight
sensitive operations. Most truck manufacturers and
dealers can provide additional information on weight-
saving options.
. Environmental Protection Agency • Office of Transpor
February 2004. EPA420-F-04-005. 0 For more Information,, visit: www.epa.gov/smartway
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