Lorries grow tails to cut their CO2 emissions

November 13, 2009

Two-metre long tapering protrusions known as ‘boat tails’ could soon be mounted on the back of lorries as a means of dramatically reducing their fuel consumption CO2 emissions.

Computer modelling and wind tunnel testing of the boat tail concept was followed by a year of extensive road tests carried out by PART (Platform for Aerodynamic Road Transport), a group of academics, vehicle manufacturers and freight companies working together to reduce fuel consumption in the road transport industry by improving aerodynamics.

The aim of the project is to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in the road transport industry by 2020.

Lorries are getting bigger

The ‘boat tail’ makes a lorry more fuel efficient, but adds two metres to its overall length. Longer vehicles not only have the potential to increase congestion, they pose a disproportionately high risk to vulnerable road users like cyclists.

Large lorries in towns pose a disproportionately high risk to cyclists. Of particular danger is the left-turning lorry, the driver of which may not see a cyclist in his near side mirror.

The European Commission is currently considering whether to revise a directive on permissible weights and dimensions of lorries, which could allow vehicles weighing up to 60 tons on EU roads. A study for the Commission should be completed next month, and looks likely to recommend extending the weights and dimensions limits, based on the assumption that 2 bigger lorries will replace 3 standard lorries and therefore reduce congestion, pollution and accidents.

A spokesperson at the Environmental Transport Association, which has joined the petition of organisations against the so-called ‘giga liners’, said: “We support fuel-saving design and technology, but no in cases where the danger top other road users outweighs the benefits.”

At present, 60-ton vehicles are allowed only in Sweden and Finland, 50-ton vehicles are allowed in the Netherlands. Denmark, Belgium and Norway are also considering their introduction. Germany and Britain recently decided against allowing them on their roads.

 

Information correct at time of publication.

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