Michelin North America has sold its Energy Guard product line to CCI Industries affiliate Trailer Aerodynamics, with the business unit operating under the name Energy Guard Aerodynamic Solutions. Under the new partnership, Michelin will retain some marketing and quality control.
“The change, at its core, was completed to allow for a much more agile business unit,” Eddie Jesse, who moved over from Michelin to become president of Energy Guard, told Fleet Maintenance. “We believe this will better position both organizations as market leaders in green technologies. This will be seen with some quick updates to the product line up coming in 2025.”
The full Energy Guard system includes the following:
- Trailer end fairings, which accelerate and turn airflow around the back of the trailer for increased efficiency
- The wake reducer, which reduces the size and effect of the air recirculation zone behind the trailer for swing and roll-up doors
- Aerodynamic mud flaps, which are both angled and progressive to reduce vehicle drag and road spray
- A bracket and slider design that reduces the load on trailer skirt panels
- A flexible trailer skirt
According to Michelin’s return-on-investment calculator, a fleet with 100 trailers that travel 100,000 miles annually—assuming that diesel fuel costs $3.50 per gallon—can experience an estimated payback in less than six months using Michelin’s Energy Guard’s full offerings.
Additionally, Mesilla Valley Transportation Solutions (MVTS) tested the Michelin Energy Guard in 2020 and found the Michelin Energy Guard saved 10.31 gallons per 1,000 miles and 10.79 gallons per 1,000 miles for vehicles, with the first test using a heavier load and the second using dual tires instead of Wide Based Singles.
