The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) released their updated Confidence Report on Lightweighting. NACFE embarked on the report refresh to learn about changes in lightweighting technologies in the five years since they originally published the report, and to investigate the implications of lightweighting for commercial battery electric vehicles.
The study team interviewed more than 50 companies including fleets, tractor and trailer OEMs, suppliers, and technology companies.
An overview of some of the findings from the updated report:
- Current lightweighting activities are largely aligned with those of the Department of Energy’s SuperTruck program with a focus on the cab and frame.
- Aluminum frame rails that were looked at five years ago are no longer available.
- Lightweight frame cross members are becoming more popular with new developments on the horizon.
- Both steel and aluminum wheel manufacturers have reduced wheel weight by 5 lbs.
- Electric trucks are 2,500 to 5,000 lbs heavier than their diesel counterparts for the same duty cycle.
- There are a number of new products in development from film to replace paint to new frame processing and composite cab structures. The industry is continuing to do work on lightweighting.
Download and view the updated Confidence Report on Lightweighting.
