SmartWay
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency +
Reducing Highway Speed
A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies
ENERGY & FUEL SAVINGS
Gallons Saved:
1,290
gallons
CO2 Savings:
13.2
metric tons
Fuel Economy Increase:
9.2%
MPG (originaL 6 mpg):
7.12
mpg
Fuel Cost Savings:
$3,760
Reducing highway speed by 5 miles per hour can cut fuel use and greenhouse
gas emissions by about 7 percent while extending the life of a truck's engine, tires
and brakes. An example is a long-haul truck that reduces its top speed from 65 to
60 miles per hour saves over 1,200 gaLLons of fuel, cutting its annual fuel bill by
$3,760 while eliminating more than 13 metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?
A typical combination truck spends 65 percent or more of its operating time at highway
speeds. Line-haul trucks spend even more time on highways. The impact of speed on
fuel economy depends upon many factors including vehicle aerodynamics, engine speed
and operating conditions. As a general rule of thumb, increasing speed by one mile per
hour reduces fuel economy by about 0.1 miles per gaLLon. Excessive speed also leads to
higher maintenance costs of by increasing wear on the engine, tires and brakes.
65%
Operating time at
highway speeds
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Speed management is an easy and effective way
to save fuel, reduce emissions, and prevent excess
wear. A trucking firm or driver can adopt a speed
policy at little or no cost. The most successful
speed management policies combine technology
(e.g., speed settings on electronic engine controls)
with driver training and incentive programs to
encourage drivers to maintain speed limits. Most
new truck engines are electronically controlled so
the cost of changing maximum speed settings on
these engines is negligible.
EPA-420-F-19-029 | August 2019 | SmartWay Transport Partnership | epa.gov/smartway
(continued)

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Reducing Highway Speed: A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies (continued)
SAVINGS AND BENEFITS
Although fuel savings may vary by vehicle and speed range, a combination truck driving 55
miles per hour uses up to 7 percent less fuel than a similar truck driving 65 miles per hour.
Other analyses indicate that reducing the maximum speed of a typical long-haul truck
from 65 miles per hour to 60 miles per hour could save about $3,760 in annual fuel costs.
Reducing speed can cut truck maintenance costs and reduce the frequency of
maintenance work. The time between engine overhauls, for example, is directly related to
fuel use. Holding maximum speeds at 60 rather than 70 miles per hour reduces engine
wear and extends time between engine rebuilds, saving hundreds of dollars per truck
each year while keeping revenue-earning equipment on the road. Fleets that adopt speed
policies report additional savings due to fewer brake jobs and other service work.
Reducing highway speed does increase travel time. Assuming ideal conditions, a trucker
driving 60 miles per hour instead of 65 miles per hour could spend about eight percent
longer on the road. Of course, the time difference may be less, depending upon road
conditions, weather, and traffic congestion and road construction. If a trucking company
pays its drivers by the mile or by the load rather than by the hour, reducing speed should
not increase labor costs. It could reduce the productivity of trucking operations since
slower trucks may carry fewer loads. However, the benefits of lower fuel and maintenance
costs combined with less frequent out-of-service work and driver safety considerations
may well outweigh any costs associated with an increase in delivery time.
$3,760
Fuel cost
savings
NEXT STEPS
1A trucking company interested in saving fuel and lowering the cost and frequency of its equipment
maintenance should consider adopting a speed management policy particularly if its trucks spend
considerable time on highways.
A number of well-managed truck fleets have programs in place to reduce highway speed and promote
safe driving by using driver training, incentive programs, and electronic engine controls. A trucking fleet
interested in following these examples may learn more by reading articles and fleet profiles in truck
industry publications.
When purchasing new vehicles, a trucking company may also consider specifying equipment designed
to optimize truck performance at lower maximum speeds. Trucking companies and drivers interested
in learning more about the effects of speed on fuel economy may contact truck and equipment
manufacturers or their state and national trucking associations.
Please visit the SmartWay website at www.epa.gov/smartway
to access more tech bulletins.
^vSmartWay
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency^

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