Airtabs set to reduce fuel bill by 2.5%
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By David Wilcox
AVERAGE FUEL BILL savings of 2.5% could be achieved with the benefits of Canadian-made Airtab aerodynamic devices, following a three-month trial sanctioned by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). The trial is due to finish at the end of this month.
Airtab UK, a subsidiary of Burnleybased mud-wing manufacturer Boydell & Jacks, was established last year to distribute Airtabs under licence in the UK.
The small devices, fitted near the trailing edge of tractor unit side panels and roofs, are claimed to work by generating twin vortices, encouraging the air to jump the gap between tractor and trailer more easily, without causing drag-inducing turbulence in between the two halves of the outfit.
Sales director Mark Knight said UK trials have never had a negative result, with the lowest fuel benefit measured at 1.2% and the average improvement at 2.5%.
Supermarket chain Morrisons is evaluating Airtabs on about 30 tractor units and wanted to extend the trial to trailers as well. Fitting Airtabs at the rear of trailers is said to reduce turbulence there as well. But Airtabs stand 25mm proud of the panel and would take Morrisons’ refrigerated trailers beyond the 2.6m maximum legal width.
Application to the VCA led to the granting of a three-month Vehicle Special Order to trial Airtabs on three trailers at Morrisons’ DC in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. Knight is hoping Morrisons’ results are as good as he expects, enhancing the fuel savings derived from fitting Airtabs on the tractor units. “We import Airtabs but we plan to make them in the UK under licence,” said Knight.
About 70 Airtabs are used for each tractor unit, costing £250; a similar number is needed for a typical boxvan trailer or rigid truck body.