Study reports millions in fuel savings with Locomation AV technology

According to the report, the company’s autonomous relay convoy system will reduce a truck’s GHG footprint by 22%, operating costs by 19%, and fuel consumption by 21%.

Nov. 23, 2021

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Locomation has revealed the findings of an independent environmental impact evaluation, finding that its autonomous relay convoy (ARC) system will dramatically reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint, fuel consumption, and operating costs of transporting goods by truck.

Locomation’s ARC system consists of two-truck convoys that are electronically tethered. The human-guided autonomy solution enables one driver to operate the lead truck while a second driver rests in the follower truck, which is operating autonomously. Periodically, the trucks swap places to allow each driver to take turns leading and resting in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation hours-of-service regulations. Locomation works to enable carriers to safely operate two trucks for 20-22 hours per day, delivering double the cargo, faster, and twice the distance.

According to the evaluation, the ARC system was the most cost-effective means to reduce emissions, lower operating costs, and does not require a price on carbon to be economically viable.

The evaluation, conducted by Boundless Impact Research & Analytics, concluded that compared to traditional Class 8 trucks, trucks equipped with Locomation’s technology would:

Reduce the GHG footprint of freight transportation by 22%
Cut operating costs 19%
Decrease fuel consumption 21%
Lower photochemical ozone formation by 22%
Reduce the GHG abatement cost, or dollars per tonne of avoided greenhouse gas emissions, below any of the alternatives considered

These conclusions are based on the ARC system’s ability to reduce truck idling by up to 90% and increase fuel efficiency by 8% on average.

“Our environmental impact assessment of Locomation’s technology provided a science-based and independent critique and comparison of the environmental benefits of several trucking technologies,” said Bret Strogen, director of research at Boundless. “Locomation’s autonomous trucking system would offer a significant environmental improvement over other common fuel reduction technologies such as Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control and Idle Reduction Technology.”

Locomation is preparing to be the first autonomous trucking technology company to safely, legally, and routinely engage in commercial operations at scale in the U.S. with its ARC system starting in late 2022 with Wilson Logistics and following with PGT Trucking in 2023.