MVT Solutions Testing Demonstrates Fuel Savings for Rear Trailer Device
The Aerovolution Booster-Tail achieved 5.04 gal/1,000 miles fuel savings in recent test.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – (Trailer Technician) – MVT Solutions, a provider of breakthrough fuel economy testing and design and development services for the trucking industry, today announced test results for Aerovolution’s Booster-Tail for Class 8 tractor-trailers.
The Booster-Tail, located at the rear of the trailer, uses natural air pressure to self-deploy at highway speeds. No additional deployment hardware or driver intervention is needed. Testing in February 2022 demonstrated that using the technology resulted in a fuel savings of 5.04 gallons per 1,000 miles.
“We wanted to get fuel economy data for the unique geometry of our device,” says Lee Telnack, president, Aerovolution. “I was happy with the test results because they confirmed what we knew, and they echoed results we got from CFD studies.”
The tests were conducted on an International LT sleeper tractor with a Cummins X15 15-liter engine and a 53-ft. Hyundai dry van loaded to 72,000 lbs. and traveling 65 mph. A test was run with the Booster-Tail in place, then the aerodynamic device was removed, and the test was run again.
“We are quite impressed with the Booster-tail,” says Daryl Bear, lead engineer and chief operating officer of MVT Solutions. “It is a much simpler design that overcomes many of the issues experienced with former boat tails including driver involvement and complexity, yet it still captures the fuel savings.”
Telnack adds, “The test results speak for themselves and confirm the device works operationally and fleets will get a good ROI from it.”
According to Bear, “The fuel economy improvement of 5.04 gallons per 1,000 miles (4.18%) represents a substantial fuel savings.”
The full report can be downloaded at https://m-v-t-s.com/certified-technology/aerodynamics/aerovolution-booster-tail/
About MVT Solutions
MVT Solutions, a subsidiary of Mesilla Valley Transportation, provides fuel economy testing based on race car engineering. This high-tech testing methodology can obtain accuracy up to 0.25% and accounts for such variables as wind, driver behavior and duty cycle. With over 700 fuel economy tests conducted to date, the company’s proven approach provides highly reliable and consistent data that enables trucking companies to make more informed choices and manufacturers to design and develop products backed by accurate fuel efficiency information that customers trust. MVT Solutions also provides consulting services to fleets looking to implement the right fuel-savings technologies for their operations. MVT Solutions was founded in 2016 and is based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. To learn more about MVT Solutions and for the latest in fuel efficiency news, visit www.m-v-t-s.com.