How to Improve Truck Fuel Efficiency
Every transport operator wants to reduce fuel costs, increase productivity and improve safety, but how can you manage all these things?
It’s all about your driver. You know that UD Trucks builds solid, reliable trucks, but did you know that the most important factors affecting the efficiency and performance of your fleet are the attitudes and abilities of your drivers? Drivers that use the correct techniques are way ahead of the rest on all measures. They get the most out of your trucks and provide a consistent boost to your bottom line. And guess what? You already have these drivers working for you. You just need to invest in them.
Knowing what determines fuel consumption is critical to reducing it. Which aspects of their driving burns the most fuel and how can we eliminate these behaviours from their driving style.
Driving a UD Truck is simple, right? Perhaps, but doing it really well requires concentration, the use of particular techniques and a clear understanding of modern truck technology.
An informed driver is calm and in control, and as a result, their driving causes less wear and tear. Your truck stays on the road for longer, spends less time in the workshop and has lower maintenance costs.
Safety is a priority for UD Trucks, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to make the roads as safe as possible for all road users. Drivers need to be aware of the need to scan the road, plan their movements and adapt to traffic and pedestrians to dramatically reduce the chances of accidents and increase fuel efficiency. An aware driver is a safe driver, and that’s the only kind of driver you want behind the wheel of one of your trucks.
With carbon emissions now forming an additional and unavoidable expense, reducing them is a priority for every transport operator. With experienced drivers in short supply and fewer new drivers entering the industry, retaining drivers is a major priority for many companies.
There’s a lot involved in driving a truck safely and efficiently. A good driver looks ahead, plans their actions and uses the road environment to their advantage. Knowing when to coast and let the vehicle’s momentum do the work, when to use cruise control, and how to anticipate obstacles like traffic lights and roundabouts, all these techniques make a difference to your fuel bill and your drivers’ fatigue levels.
UD Trucks Smart technology & safety offers a wide range of advanced systems to help your drivers stay safe on the road. They also have a host of features that improve fuel efficiency and help reduce wear on the tyres and the truck. Many of the most powerful features are at your fingertips, yet many drivers are either unaware of them, or aren’t sure how to use them to maximise the benefits.
Improving Truck Fuel Efficiency
It’s no secret that fuel is a transport companies’ biggest expense. For many operators, it accounts for at least 1/3rd of their total costs. So, how do you improve fuel economy? It is all about knowing what the main factors are and how they come into play. It’s important to think about how to lower your fuel bill – from truck specification and maintenance to driver performance and fleet management.
What impacts fuel consumption the most?
Truck Specification
To get the best possible fuel economy, the truck must be specified correctly. There are three main areas to consider: the powertrain, aerodynamics and rolling resistance. Beyond specification, you can also improve fuel efficiency with the right truck services to maintain and manage your fleet via the UD Total Solutions Package. As we are the experts, we do all the work so you don’t have to. A proper service regime designed just for you will ensure your UD truck is in tip top shape & delivering the best performance whilst ensuring the best efficiency& durability using only genuine parts.
This will also maintain resale value whilst giving you what we have as our core function, Ultimate Dependability.
Driver Performance
Did you know that well trained drivers are typically 5–10% more fuel-efficient than average drivers? And the difference can be even higher, as much as 20%! Using cruise control, driving at the right speed, and braking correctly are some of the ways driver performance can impact your bottom line.
5 key questions to improve fuel consumption, emissions and fleet costs
1. How do you optimise the powertrain?
The powertrain is one of the biggest factors in a trucks fuel economy. Once this is specified, much of your trucks fuel consumption is fixed – so it is crucial to get it right. While every powertrain component makes a difference – from the rear axle to the oil in the transmission – the three components with the largest impact are the engine, transmission, and cruise control.
Recent technological advancements are taking each of these components to new heights of efficiency. The UD GH11TD delivers premium power & high levels of torque at a low rev range which results in better fuel economy than previous iterations of the engine, while reducing AdBlue usage. The ESCOT-VI 12 speed automated Manual Transmission (AMT) uses real-time driving data to make every shift extremely precise. This transmission is also load sensing, and grade sensing, which makes its shift decisions even more precise.
With our advanced adaptive cruise control and the traffic eye brake system, this means that drivers can enjoy built in fuel efficiency which takes this function away from the driver on long haul work.
2. How do you improve aerodynamic performance?
Aerodynamics are another specification factor with a big impact on truck fuel consumption. Performance can be affected by everything from external accessories to mirrors and front spoilers, but most important are the:
- Cab design
- Roof spoiler and cab side deflectors
- Trailer
So, how do you improve a trucks aerodynamic performance? When it comes to cabs, the height, roof angle and design all make a difference. As for the roof spoiler & cab side deflectors, these can improve fuel economy but be sure the roof spoiler is factory-fitted from the start – mounting it even 5 cm too low or 10 cm too high can impact the potential fuel savings. And regarding trailers: Keeping them in top condition and the wheels aligned and tyre pressures accurate is key.
3. How do you minimise rolling resistance?
Rolling resistance is the third biggest specification factor impacting fuel. This is primarily determined by:
- Tyres
- Tyre pressures
- Wheel alignment
Ensure to drive with correctly inflated tyres and aligned wheels & axles. Misalignment leads to instability in steering and causes the truck to take up more space on the road as the vehicle may wander which increases air resistance, which in turn worsens fuel economy. Wheel alignments are recommended to be carried out at least once every 12 months. The correct tyre pressure is of utmost importance to reducing rolling resistance. Very regular tyre pressure checks & adjustments need to be carried out more often than they used to. Not only will it assist with fuel economy, it will also help in identifying leaks and overheating of the tyre sidewall which may result in tyre failure.
4. How does truck maintenance, fleet management services and connectivity reduce fuel costs?
The right services can make it easy to track and improve fuel consumption as well as keep your fleet in top condition.
Service and maintenance
A well-maintained truck is a more fuel-efficient truck. A tailored service contract, using the UD Total Solutions Package with regular service provided by knowledgeable and skilled technicians, prevents fuel-wasting problems like brake drag and seized brakes, clogged air filters, boost pressure leakages and fuel leaks.
Fleet management
Smart fleet management services give you lots of ways to improve fuel economy. Fuel efficiency score can be reported, which lets you track fuel consumption and other key variables to see where savings can be made. You can access this feature with UD Connect, a digital interface that gives you a clear overview of fuel consumption, driving distance, emission levels and much more.
Connectivity
Todays connected technology makes it easier than ever to save fuel, by ensuring that your trucks are always in top condition. UD Connect allows you, our transport partner, to use data from the actual usage of your trucks. To plan and optimise workshop visits, as well as monitor key truck components in real time to predict and prevent unplanned stops.
5. How does driver performance impact fuel consumption?
Investing in your drivers is just as important as investing in your trucks. Why? Because skilled and motivated drivers are proven to be more productive, efficient, and safe. When it comes to saving fuel, the most important thing a driver can do is develop good habits regarding:
- Acceleration
- Cruising speed
- Cruise control
- Braking
- Understanding the trucks economy & safety features
Other factors include anticipatory driving, idling, and driving in city traffic. Besides saving fuel, an informed driver can also boost productivity, whilst increasing their industry knowledge, improve safety, and help you attract and retain the best drivers.
The UD Powertrain
New FCR (Fuel Consumption Regulation) engine our most advanced & efficient engine to date.
The innovative Fuel Consumption Regulation turbo charged & intercooled Euro 6 GH11 eleven litre engine is our latest and most fuel-efficient engine ever. UD has had Euro 6 in Australia since the New Quon’s launch in 2017, it is something we are very good at, and this latest design is the best yet.
A highly advanced engine of modest capacity that is the latest advancement from UD Trucks designed from the ground up to be the most fuel efficient engine we have ever put into an Australian UD.
Designed specifically for the UD Quon, itʼs ideal for a wide variety of applications, including fleets that run variable load applications like tanker, crane trucks, tilt trays, heavy bulk haul, FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) and flat-bed deliveries. Be it a prime mover with a tri axle trailer, or a rigid, UD has an engine package that will not only suit the application, but will also be quiet & efficient.
This new engine interacts perfectly between the driver & transmission, and the ESCOT VI 12 speed AMT. This new engine & transmission combination has been designed for economy from the time you turn the key. Smooth delivery of torque at low revs is its specialty, saving fuel whilst delivering performance.
We now offer three levels of the FCR engine to suit any need in the field all designed for economy.
- 400hp with 2000 Nm of torque
- 430hp with 2000 Nm of torque
- 460hp with 2250 Nm of torque.
ESCOT VI, 12 speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission)
The more precise the shift, the more efficient the drive. For extreme precision, everything from a trucks speed and weight to the road grade and torque demand must be taken into account. ESCOT VI our range of automated transmissions, evaluates these factors automatically so that every gear change is perfectly timed. The system also communicates with the engine, allowing it to adjust the revs and engine brake & the correct gear for best performance. It is also grade sensing & load sensing so selecting the exact gear for the exact situation is all taken care of by this highly advanced transmission. Taking the guess work out of this crucial decision from the driver, will always ensure the Quon is in the correct gear in any situation. This is the ESCOT VI specialty.
Our GH11 engine & ESCOT VI transmission enhances our Traffic Eye Cruise (adaptive cruise control) and is one of the most important components of fuel-efficient driving. However, cruise control has always been intended for use only on flat roads – until now. ESCOT VI uses its Traffic Eye Camera & Millimeter Wave Radar to evaluate the road ahead and the traffic conditions of the vehicle it is following to optimise truck speed, gear position & changes, engine braking and truck service brakes in any terrain.
On board coaching
Owner drivers and conscientious fleet drivers can get even more efficiency & economy from our advanced powertrain due to a number of automated on board coaching systems. The Quon will actually coach you to not only be a safer driver, it will coach you to be a very fuel efficient driver as well. Standard in all Quon, these self coaching facilities are proving extremely valuable to the bottom line of any driver & owner that allows the Quon to coach them. Unique to UD Trucks in the Japanese truck market. Delivering Ultimate Dependability each and every time.
Driver Education Helpline
Driver education help line 1300ECOASSIST 1300ECODRIVING 1300ECONOMY 1300ECODRIVER
UD Trucks Australia would like to offer a help line to advise (or assist) drivers & owners to understand their UD truck and its economy features better. We can also assist with the Quon safety systems.
Calling our UD specialist can help drivers use the economy features of their Quon to the fullest. Safety is part of the Quon DNA. When driving the truck for economy, safety follows. Understanding these important standard features the Quon offers, will allow the truck to perform the way it should and get the best economy it was designed for.