Boat tail reduces truck fuel consumption by 7.5 percent

In a new study, researchers from the Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands determined through extensive testing on public highways that a boat tail reduced truck fuel consumption by 7.5 percent.

As part of the study, an articulated lorry was driven for a period of one year with a boat tail (of varying length) and one year without a boat tail.

The improved aerodynamics, depending on the length of the boat tail, resulted in reduced fuel consumption (and emissions) of up to 7.5 percent.

The optimum boat tail length proved to be two metres.

The tests were conducted by PART, which is a platform in which academics; road transport manufacturers, transport companies and shippers work together.

The platform aims to reduce fuel consumption in the road transport industry by improving aerodynamics.

PART's ambition is to achieve a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in the road transport industry by 2020.

PART has previously conducted road tests on a new generation of aerodynamic sideskirts, which are to make their commercial debut later this year.