ConMet announced fuel efficiency results for its TruckWings device tested on diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks. Third-party tester Mesilla Valley Transportation Solutions (MVTS) conducted tests on Class 8 CNG trucks and Class 8 diesel trucks to evaluate the TruckWings product’s efficiency. The results were a 5.25% improvement in efficiency for CNG trucks and a 6.2% improvement for diesel trucks.
TruckWings technology contributes to efficiency improvements by closing the gap between the back of the truck and the front of the trailer, thereby improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle, the company noted.
The testing methodology employed by MVTS for both applications was rigorous and designed to provide accurate data. Two identically spec’d vehicles ran simultaneously at 65 MPH on a 9-mile circle track near Pecos, Texas. One vehicle remained unchanged throughout testing, while the test vehicle had ConMet’s TruckWings device installed and deployed. This setup allowed for a fair comparison of the efficiency gains. The efficiency improvements were calculated based on various factors including fuel consumption, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and driver behavior. MVTS utilized proprietary methods to analyze the data collected by sensors and data recording systems installed in the vehicles.
The announcement was made at TMC, the American Trucking Associations Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2024 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition.
