To significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the international transport and logistics company Hegelmann is equipping five of its trailers with Betterflow’s special aero systems.
The promised reduced air resistance is hoped to save up to 1.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. With an average mileage of 120,000 kilometres per year, this results in savings of over 2,000 litres per year for each of the 5 equipped vehicles.
Hegelmann is testing the all-around package, which consists of the underbody membrane (LowFLOW), a cover for the underbody protection (LowFLOW Shape), a slat for the bulkhead of the trailer (HighFLOW), and the automatic rear wing system (RearFLOW).
To save as much CO2 as possible, the technology is to be mainly used on long-distance transport.
The LowFLOW component extends almost over the entire underbody. Brackets on the rear chassis and front support legs tension a membrane and tighten it into a smooth shape, optimizing underbody flow. In addition, the LowFLOW Shape components cover the rear underbody protection. Both components are extremely robust and maintenance-free, explains the manufacturer.
The HighFLOW system ensures optimal airflow in the rear area. This is used to coordinate the underbody and roof airflow.
Strong turbulence in the rear area is reduced by the fully automatic RearFLOW rear wing system, which opens automatically from a speed of 60 km/h. As a result, an average of 1.8 litres of fuel can be saved over 100 kilometres.
Hegelmann’s investment of around 10 000 euros per trailer is expected to pay for itself after 15 months.