Historically, the U.S. EPA’s SmartWay Technology Program designated 53’ dry vans as SmartWay trailers if they achieved 1 percent or more fuel savings with low rolling resistance tires, and 5 percent or more fuel savings with aerodynamic technology.
The SmartWay designation requires technologies that produce at least 6 percent in fuel savings.
Launched in 2004, SmartWay (epa.gov/smartway/index.htm) is an EPA program that helps the freight transportation sector improve supply chain efficiency. SmartWay reduces transportation-related emissions that affect climate change, reduce environmental risk for companies and increase global energy security.
REEFERS
Earlier this year, the program was expanded to include 53’ refrigerated trailers used for the long-haul operations that are equipped with SmartWay-verified low-rolling resistance tires and SmartWay-verified aerodynamic devices to achieve a total of 6 percent or more fuel savings over traditional refrigerated trailers.
ELITE DESIGNATION
The EPA also introduced a higher performance tier for trailers, called SmartWay Elite.
The “new SmartWay Elite designation defines trailers that achieve the highest levels of aerodynamic performance currently available,” says the EPA.
SmartWay Elite trailers are traditional 53’ box dry van or refrigerated trailers equipped with a combination of SmartWay-verified low-rolling resistance tires and SmartWay-verified aerodynamic devices to obtain a total of 10 percent or more fuel savings over traditional trailers. At least 9 percent of these fuel savings need to come from a combination of two or more SmartWay-verified aerodynamic devices.
AERODYNAMIC TECHNOLOGY COMBINATIONS
These combinations are known as SmartWay Elite Aerodynamic Technology Combinations. They may be created in two ways, the EPA says:
- By combining individually-verified aerodynamic components listed on the SmartWay
website that total 9 percent or more benefit.
- By selecting a SmartWay Elite Aerodynamic Technology Combination “package” that is listed on the SmartWay website has been tested and verified by EPA to perform at Elite levels (9 percent fuel savings or higher).
“Fleets managers have the flexibility to combine individually-verified components and can expect good performance,” states the EPA. “However, they may need to assess the devices’ interactive effects during use.”
