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NEWS RELEASEFor immediate release
EMBARGOED UNTIL September 18, 2013
PIT Reveals Results from Five Years of Testing
Fuel economy evaluations of trailer side skirt and undercarriage aerodynamic technologies reveal fuel consumption improvements
Montréal, QC– September 19, 2013 ‐ FPInnovations’ Performance Innovation Transport (PIT) group, a not‐for‐profit engineering and research group for the North American trucking industry, today announced at its biannual Energotest™ event, the results of five years of performance evaluations on trailers equipped with side skirts and undercarriage aerodynamic devices. The test results show that trailers with side skirts consumed an average of 6.69% less fuel than similar vehicles without skirts. Trailers with undercarriage aerodynamic devices consumed 1.43% less fuel on average than similar units without the deflectors. “The goal of these trials was to identify the real value of each technology so fleet operators can focus their implementation efforts where they get the best value and can more easily justify their capital investment,” said Yves Provencher, Director of PIT. “Our controlled test‐track fuel efficiency studies accelerate technology implementation and provide the commercial vehicle industry with the information it needs to make sound technology choices.” For the fuel economy evaluations, PIT tested side skirts from Freight Wing, Laydon Composites, Ridge Corporation and Transtex Composite. Fuel savings with the devices ranged from 5.2% to 7.45% compared to similar vehicles without skirts. Trailer undercarriage air deflectors tested by PIT were supplied by AirFlow Deflector, Airman and SmartTruck. Fuel savings measured on vehicles equipped with the devices ranged from 0% to 2.2%. PIT testing on the trailer aerodynamic devices was performed in accordance with SAE J1321 Fuel Consumption Test Procedure ‐ Type II. For each test, unmodified control vehicles and test vehicles had the same general configuration, were coupled to the same trailers for base and test segments, and maintained load weights the same throughout the entire test period. All vehicles were in good working condition and set to manufacturer's specifications. Fuel consumption for the tests was measured by weighing portable tanks before and after each trip. The testing consisted of a baseline segment using non‐modified vehicles followed by a segment using the control vehicle and test units equipped with the aerodynamic devices. For baseline and final segments, results were presented as the ratio between the average fuel consumed by the test
vehicle and the average fuel consumed by the control vehicle. The values for fuel savings reflect the changes resulting from the modification of test vehicles. PIT hosted its biannual Energotest™ at the Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Test Centre in Blainville, Quebec from September 11 to 19, 2013. The event featured fuel consumption tests comparing North American and European trucks in addition to testing fuel consumption claims of new products. In all cases, the customer pays for the testing. For more information on applying for product testing contact us at 1 855 472‐1159. About Performance Innovation Transport Based in Montréal, Québec, Performance Innovation Transport (PIT) is a group of FPInnovations. Formed in 2008, PIT is an unbiased, neutral testing organization to help manufacturers evaluate and refine prototypes and fleet managers select the best technologies to reduce costs and environmental impact. PIT works in cooperation with the U.S. SmartWay Transport Partnership, Natural Resources Canada, and Environment Canada who has selected PIT as the benchmark facility for testing green transportation technologies. PIT evaluates and implements technologies that promote efficient energy use in the commercial transportation, municipal and transit industries. Membership in PIT has grown to include 26 fleets, 16 municipalities and four federal and provincial government agencies. For more information about PIT, visit pit.fpinnovations.ca. For more information about FPInnovations, visit www.fpinnovations.ca. Media contacts: Terry Knee Communications Director FPInnovations 514‐630‐4115 [email protected]
Susan Fall President LaunchIt 858‐490‐1050 [email protected] www.LaunchItPR.com
Technical contact : Yves Provencher PIT Director FPInnovations 514‐782‐4523 [email protected]
