Silver linings Last week the European Commission announced amendments to
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the regulations governing truck lengths — allowing operators to fit drag-reducing tail fins on the rear of trailers, and permitting longer, more aerodynamic cabs. It estimates that these changes will bring 10% better efficiency, equating to fuel savings of more than £4,000 a year for an average long-haul truck.
I think these changes may coincide with the introduction of Euro-7 (or whatever they decide to call it). After all, we know that the next round of emission regulations will concentrate on reducing carbon emissions and, with little room for improvement in the efficiency of diesel engines, the most logical way to achieve this is with better aerodynamics.
So it's good news right? Well, partly. Some truck makers have just spent several years and millions of euros developing new cabs, and now presumably they're going to have to start all over again. Renault Trucks design director Herve Bertrand told me that Renault's new cab will feature a 12-degree rake on its A-pillar. He said one option might be to continue with this angle all the way to the front bumper taking advantage of the extra length and giving a more aerodynamic profile. But redesigns aren't going to be cheap, and I have a horrible _grit% feeling truck buyers will be sharing the cost with l'AV:1 truck makers. Euro-6 is costing hauliers about Atol £10,000 per truck, and it looks like it's going „4Osto be a similar story for Euro-7. But at ' WIS*Nisgt• 040.0 least, on this occasion, we will have the S benefit of improved fuel economy. Will Shiers Commercial Motor the official UK journal of the International Truck of the Year and International Van of the Year Awards