I have to admit I am feeling a little bit smug right now. Five years ago when the North American Council for Freight Efficiency was launched there were days I felt like one of a handful of people talking about why it was important to improve the freight efficiency of trucks.
Today things are different. All you have to do is read the headlines on some of the press releases that came out of the recent Mid-America Trucking Show to see that efficiency is having its day in the sun.
Here’s a sampling:
- Volvo Expands Lineup of Fuel Efficient XE Powertrain Packages
- Mack Load Logic 6x2 Liftable Pusher Axle Improves Fuel Efficiency
- Cummins Unveils ISX Efficiency Improvements
- Kenworth T680 Advantage Achieves up to 10- Percent Fuel Economy Gain
- Peterbilt Showcases Double-Digit Fuel Efficiency Gains
- Dana Showcases Driveline Innovations Supporting Engine Downspeeding, Further Fuel Economy Improvements at 2015 Mid-America Trucking Show
I could go on, but I think you might be getting the idea.
But in case you’re still not convinced that efficiency has made it to the top consider this: the word efficiency is now showing up in product names.
The ES in Navistar’s ProStar ES model stands for efficiency specification. Western Star’s XE means extreme efficiency. And Volvo’s XE stands for exceptional efficiency.
It seemed like in every aisle I went down at MATS there was some booth or another that featured something related to efficiency.
I am excited about all the attention being focused on a subject that is so near and dear to my heart. To those of you new to the efficiency bandwagon, I say welcome. The more people we have talking about products, technologies and behaviors that improve freight efficiency, the better.
Given that new trucks being spec’ed are able to achieve 7.5 mpg and the best fleets are at 8 mpg, if we all work together 10 mpg for every truck is clearly within reach.
So keep it up and I’ll promise to not remind I was among the first who believed it was possible.
