Recently, the Obama Administration decided that over-the-road trucks needed better fuel economy, and thus, increased the MPG ratings for future trucks in the trucking and transportation sector. With new materials coming forth it appears this will be feasible, thus, no need for alarm. However, we also know that these latest materials will take a while to get to market - from the research centers developing new methods of manufacturing such materials to the real world.
Yes, I am speaking of carbon nano-tube construction, graphene coatings, and high-tech composites. This combined with better aerodynamics in the trucking industry are paramount. The combination of the two, along with the new propulsion technologies ought to be just the ticket indeed. Let's address the aerodynamic issues in trucking, specifically with over-the-road trucks for a moment.
There was an interesting piece in Bloomberg Business Week (July 18 July 24, 2011) published in the "Innovator Section" titled; "In the Flow" by John Tozzi which interviewed an expert in modeling airflows, Kambiz Salari who stated; "Streamlining trucks could save the shipping industry $24 billion annually." And it turns out that the DOE has given grants totaling $115 million in 2010 "to develop super trucks that are 50% more efficient by 2015."
Interestingly enough, I was having a conversation with an innovator a couple of years ago, who happened to read "The Future of Truck Technologies" eBook, and he contacted me at the think tank to discuss his revolutionary concept. It was an air-dam pass-through for a truck-trailer 18-wheeler rig. He'd patented the idea, and referenced some very interesting science on fluid technology from the expert in Germany who coined the niche fluid-dynamic science it used.
Indeed, just a couple of days ago, while I was considering that article above from Bloomberg Business week another gentleman contacted me and stated he had a very streamlined design; "Our bullet truck IP can double class 8 truck fuel economy (doubles it) and increase profit margin 45% to the independent trucker," and his concept was for a uni-body truck innovation "with super single tires; 10+ mpg at 80,000 lb highway weights should be achievable. Current fleet average is 5.4."
Okay so, I too believe that 10 mpg is doable by increasing aerodynamic efficiency in my views. At what speeds was he talking about you ask? Normal highway speeds 65-70 mph, and although they have not completed the prototype design model and have not run it through a wind-tunnel for co-efficient of drag tests, their fluid-dynamics, aerodynamic software graph certainly puts it within that possible range. Further, as new materials come due, we can expect lighter weight vehicles too, perhaps carrying loads of 45,000 to 50,000 lbs or more achieving the near 10 mpg figure.
Perhaps you noted that the Obama Administration had recently called for increased mpg figures in the future for over the road trucks. Some in the trucking industry were fit to be tied, but maybe they shouldn't get too upset just yet, because many of these future technologies are starting to come together and should arrive in the next 5-10 years, and as the aging fleets retire, they should be available. Not to mention the fact that rising oil prices will have trucking companies lined up to get these fuel efficient units.
Now then, with all that said, it just maybe that the free-market will solve all of these problems without government intervention at all. Of course, the government has already mandated higher miles per gallon fuel standards for over the road trucks, but I wouldn't give them credit for it when it does happen. After all, it will be the innovators and free-market capitalists which finally get this done. Please consider all this and think on it.
Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 24,300 articles will be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..
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