Do you need tips to improve semi-truck fuel economy? Do you have the best fuel economy truck? If not you will need to do some work to get your truck anywhere near its fuel efficiency. With enormous gas tanks and large engines required to carry heavy loads, fuel economy and semi-truck are two words most would not think to use in the same sentence.
In 2022, Fuel prices are out of control and truckers are driving farther and with more oversized loads than ever. Truckers are more important than ever. This creates a problem. How are semi-truck companies to improve their bottom line when their trucks are guzzling hundreds of gallons of gas and thousands of dollars?
Employing the best fuel economy truck can improve the trucking company’s bottom line- an important thing to do. A semi-truck with poor fuel economy will need to take make more stops to refuel, wasting time and money. In this article, you will learn about the best fuel economy trucks, how to get better semi-truck MPG, and how to get better gas mileage in a truck.
Best Fuel Economy Truck
Improving semi-truck fuel economy begins with the semi-trucks you drive. Like all vehicles, some semi-truck brands are manufactured to have better fuel economy than other semi-trucks. The first tip to improve semi-truck fuel economy is to buy the right truck. Below are the most fuel-efficient semi-trucks available.
Freightliner Cascadia Evolution
The first on this list of the best fuel economy trucks is the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution. This semi-truck achieves over ten miles per gallon of fuel. The newer models feature a 615 horsepower engine and a more aerodynamic design to get you where you need to go while burning as little fuel as possible.
Peterbilt 579
The Peterbilt 579 gets nearly 10 miles per gallon of fuel, clearly making it one of the best fuel economy trucks. Its aerodynamic design decreases wind resistance for increased fuel economy.
Kenworth T680 Advantage
Coming in behind the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution is the Kenworth T680. This truck gets 9 miles per gallon of fuel. It features an aerodynamic design, including side extenders, mudflaps, air deflectors, exhaust cut covers, and wheel covers.
Mack Pinnacle
The next best fuel economy truck is the Mack Pinnacle. This semi-truck touts 8 miles per gallon of fuel, a low center of gravity, and wind resistance. It is built to support heavy loads better than other trucks for better fuel economy.
Semi Truck MPG
Semi-trucks are generally big, gas-guzzling machines. Trucks have one or two gas tanks holding anywhere from 120 to 160 gallons of gas each. That is around 300 gallons of gas in total. Gas prices fluctuate dramatically, but if gas is $3.00 per gallon, that is about $900 to fuel up a semi-truck.
Although the best semi-trucks can get up to 10 mpg, on average, semi-trucks only get 5.6 mpg. These heavy vehicles need more power, and more gas, to accelerate. Going up hills is difficult, dragging fuel efficiency down to a measly 3 mpg on average. They are not as aerodynamic as the small cars that drive next to them.
If semi-trucks are going to get where they need to be, while only spending a reasonable amount of money on gas, the semi-truck driver needs to take steps to make sure that their driving habits increase fuel efficiency.
How to Get Better Gas Mileage in a Truck
You are probably asking how to get better gas mileage in a truck now that you know the average semi truck MPG. Although the type of truck you choose will affect your miles per gallon, or mpg, there are practices you can implement to improve your fuel economy even further. Below are some tips to improve semi-truck fuel economy.
Slow Down
The faster you go, the more gas you burn. Although you want to arrive at your destination as fast as possible, every 1 mph increase in speed results in a .14 semi truck mpg. It might not seem like a lot, but if you are driving a truck that gets 10 mpg at 50mph, you will only get 8.6 mph at 60mph, 7.2 mpg at 70 mph, and only 5.8 mpg at 80mph. The reduction in fuel efficiency adds up.
Avoid Idling
Do not idle if you do not have to. It burns fuel and causes wear to the truck that could lead to future repairs. Try not to run the truck if you do not plan to move it.
Brake Only as Necessary
Every time you hit the brake, you are decreasing your semi truck’s mpg. Of course, there will be times you need to press your brake. That is the nature of driving around other people and staying safe on the road. Try not to brake when it is unnecessary. As you speed up after braking, your truck requires more gas to get up to speed. Maintaining a slower speed can prevent unnecessary braking as a slower speed will help you maintain adequate distance between your truck and the driver in front of you.
Use Cruise Control
Cruise control will maintain your speed for you and prevent unnecessary slowing and speeding for increased fuel efficiency.
Check Tire Pressure
A low tire will burn more fuel than a properly inflated tire. It is estimated that properly inflated tires can save you $0.11 per mile on gas.
Reduce Weight
Semi-trucks carry heavy loads. Do not add unnecessary weight. The lighter you can keep your truck the more miles per gallon you will get out of your truck. Consider using lightweight components made out of materials like aluminum for your truck rather than heavy materials like iron. The best fuel economy trucks will weigh as little as possible.
Heavy Weight Transport Inc.
Heavy Weight Transport Inc. specializes in carrying heavy cargo. As an asset-based drayage company, we have the necessary tools to transport ocean container loads weighing up to 64,000 pounds.
Fuel efficiency becomes even more important as the semi-trucks become heavier. We have drivers with the expertise to effectively and efficiently carry heavy loads where they need to be. We have some of the best fuel economy trucks in our fleet. Our customized 4-axle trucks are green-friendly and available to deliver your cargo. Contact Heavy Weight Transport Inc with any questions.
