By Greentech Lead Team: ATDynamics announced that its TrailerTail technology called
EcoTail in Europe has been tested in the Netherlands by TNT Express, a
worldwide express delivery company, and Ephicas, a European aerodynamics
partner.
The testing of the initial
TrailerTail device to operate in Europe delivered 6 percent fuel savings over
the five month testing period.
“Reducing the transportation
industry’s dependence on oil relies on rapid innovation and technology adoption
worldwide. The comprehensive fuel economy and safety testing pursued by TNT
Express in Europe will accelerate worldwide adoption of our technology,”
said Andrew Smith, CEO and founder of ATDynamics.
In 2011, ATDynamics supplied over
5,000 TrailerTails to US trucking fleets and is configuring to deploy 50,000
units by 2014. Each TrailerTail saves approximately as much fuel as
removing one passenger vehicle from the road.
Partner company Ephicas sought
permission from the ‘Dienst Wegverkeer’ (RDW) to be able to run the TNT Express
test program, since in the Netherlands there is not yet a length exemption for
aerodynamic devices. After safety tests, the RDW allowed a temporary
exemption given that these tests align with the Transport White Paper targets
to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 percent.
The operational tests performed by
TNT showed over 7 gallons saved per 1000 miles traveled at a maximum vehicle
speed of 50 mph.
“Savings on fuel cost is an
interesting business case, but the technology also helps us to reach our goal
of decreasing the CO2 emissions of our operations,” said Irma Blanke,
director of Operations & Services for TNT Express Benelux.