Wal-Mart seeks better mileage from trucks

Before the year 2015, retail store giant Wal-Mart intends the trucks in its fleet to use fuel at a rate of about 13 miles per gallon. The fleet of 7,100 trucks now averages about seven miles per gallon for a truck transporting a 80,000-lb load.

According to Lee Scott, the Bentonville AR-based chain's chief executive, a one mile per gallon gain in fuel efficiency would contribute to annual savings of $52 million. He anticipates this action ultimately will convince other firms to aim for higher fuel efficiency from their trucks.