Bourne, Lincolnshire, UK: Cutting fuel use is a key part of the low carbon agenda and vehicle aerodynamics have a major role to play in that, says air kit maker Aerodyne.
But it’s not just about diesel use: aerodynamics also helps increase the range of electric vehicles.
A new Fuso e-Canter fitted with Aerodyne’s air management kits, pictured above, on test at Millbrook Proving Ground, showed a a 12% range improvement. This is a significant increase on the 100km range typical from the eCanter.
Operators report substantial savings with air management kits. Aerodyne’s Aeromatic automatically adjustable kit produced a 7.2% fuel saving for Ocado during a four-month trial. The deflector automatically switches between the 5m and the 4.2m trailers, or any trailer height between, with no need for driver input and so no danger of driver-error.
Ocado used the defectors on CNG-powered tractors where any increases in range help, given the current lack of filling stations.
“Aerodyne stood out for their attention to detail. The system modelled well and there was a willingness to develop something that would meet all our criteria,” Graham Thomas, fleet services manager, Ocado, said.
“Working with Aerodyne has been straightforward. It was clear from day one that they were keen to work with us to get to where we wanted to be.”
