Press Release: Trucking Efficiency Publishes Confidence Report on Variable Engine-Driven Accessories

Trucking Efficiency Publishes Confidence Report on Variable Engine-Driven Accessories

“Variable engine-driven accessories present relatively small opportunities for gains in fuel efficiency, but they may provide better payback with further development.”
—Mike Roeth, Operation Lead, Trucking Efficiency, and Executive Director, NACFE

February 26, 2017, Nashville—Variable engine-driven accessories are emerging as fuel-saving strategies for long- and regional-haul fleets, according to the latest Confidence Report released today by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and Carbon War Room.

Engine-driven accessories use about 3–5% of the overall fuel consumed by Class 8 tractor-trailers. The fuel economy gains that can be achieved with variable engine-driven accessories for common on-highway vehicles are relatively modest. Current fuel prices make justifying the added cost for variable engine-driven accessories hardware that improves fuel economy difficult, and the added complexity of these systems creates concerns about their reliability.

The report provides details on 2-speed/modulating cooling fans, variable speed water pumps, clutched air compressors, high-efficiency alternators, smart air dryers, dual displacement power steering pumps, electrically driven A/C compressors, and electrically driven accessories. It also explores some of the challenges presented by these technologies.

This is the second time Trucking Efficiency has released a Confidence Report on an emerging technology. The report is an effort to provide a foundational understanding of variable engine-driven accessories because current and upcoming greenhouse gas regulations are likely to push at least some of the technology choices related to engine-driven accessories from optional to standard equipment on new truck orders.

Download the full report here.