Fuel saving suspension

Regardless of the size of your operation, one of the biggest ongoing costs any fleet faces is fuel. Finding solutions and tactics to maximise efficiency and cut expenditure on fuel, as well as improving the green credentials of your company, is therefore a key focus.

There are a number of different ways fleet managers can achieve success in this area, from upgrading trucks and trailers to modern models designed to be more fuel-efficient, to more effective route planning and training drivers to drive and refuel in a more economical and efficient manner.

One of the major factors impacting fuel use is the load itself. That’s where the fuel saving suspension solution from WABCO comes in.

Fuel saving suspension control is a solution based on the principle that cargo load and the position of the truck and trailer while in motion has an impact on how much fuel the vehicle uses. As you drive, truck and trailer suspension reacts to external factors such as braking, uneven road surfaces and going round curves and bends, to ensure a smooth ride for the driver.

This is part of the OptiLevel function – also known as Electronically Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS) – designed to reduce loading and unloading times, carbon emissions and fuel consumption.

Fuel saving suspension works with a distance sensor connected directly to the trailer axle, which reads the movements of the chassis. If it feels the need to compensate to maintain the height and stability of the trailer, the chassis will be adjusted to maintain an efficient driving position. It ignores movements that won’t affect the driving height, but reacts to those that do, such as cornering and potholes, to keep the driver and cargo safe.

Normal air suspension uses a lot of fuel, which can lead to fleet managers facing substantial costs. However, WABCO fuel saving suspension utilises technology to allow the compressor to use less air, only drawing on air when it needs to adjust the chassis height. This provides a more cost-effective and greener way to operate.

These suspension controls also increase the lifespan of the truck’s compressor, meaning they don’t have to be charged as often. With the solution in place, fleet managers can save up to 100 litres of fuel and 275kg of CO² per year, per vehicle – a huge reduction on your fuel costs and carbon footprint. The ability to change vehicle height based on driving speed enables these fuel savings – lowering vehicle height on highways to reduce aerodynamic resistance and returning to normal for lower speeds, ensuring enough air spring stroke on uneven roads.

Fuel saving suspension control is just one part of WABCO’s Intelligent Trailer Program, a suite of functions that work to improve trailer efficiency, safety, security, performance and comfort. A number of these target increased fuel economy and emission reduction and can be combined to have a dramatic impact on your fleet’s performance.