ATDynamics and SDC launch TrailerTail for Euro market
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By Will Shiers ATDYNAMICS, THE leading supplier of semi-trailer rear-drag aerodynamics technology in the US, has launched a product speciically for the European market.
But the TrailerTail Eco50, which extends 50cm behind the rear of the trailer and dramatically reduces rear drag, will only become viable if European Directive 97/27/EC is passed in November.
“We are conident it will come in,” explained ATDynamics CEO Andrew Smith.
“After all, this product could save the European truck industry billions of litres of fuel.” Smith estimates that the Eco50, which costs €1,000 (£800) to retroit to a box trailer and adds 75kg to the overall weight, will save 7.6 litres of fuel for every 100km that are travelled. He said this equates to inancial savings of about €1,100 (£900) per truck per annum.
But Smith believes the savings could be doubled if European legislation was to permit the longer 122cm Eco120, which it sells in North America. He estimates that the European truck industry would miss out on a potential €2.6bn worth of savings if it was to only permit the smaller device.
Smith told CM that the savings could be even greater in the UK, where double-deck trailers are popular.
“The larger the rear surface area of the trailer, the bigger the savings,” he explained.
One in every 200 box trailers in the US have now been itted with the technology.