Beating the air
11th August 1978, Page 37
11th August 1978
Page 37
Page 37, 11th August 1978
— Beating the air
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
According to Mercedes-Benz, 35-40 per cent of the fuel bill of a lorry and trailer travelling at a constant 50mph on level ground is incurred purely in carving a passage through the air. Anything that reduces wind resistance is putting money in the operator's pocket.
Mercedes-Benz claims that its so-called New Generation Cab with its smooth contours, yields fuel savings of 2-6 per cent compared with an angular structure. When an air deflector specially designed for the job is fitted to the New Generation Cab on a long-distance vehicle with a high body on load, the extra cost is claimed to be recovered in much less than a year.
With the world need to conserve energy, anything that promises economy at reasonable cost is worth trying.