Lorries grow tails to cut their CO2 emissions

Two-metre long tapering protrusions known as ‘boat tails’ could soon be mounted on the back of lorries as a means of dramatically reducing their fuel consumption CO₂ emissions.

Computer modelling and wind tunnel testing of the boat tail concept was followed by a year of extensive road tests carried out by PART (Platform for Aerodynamic Road Transport), a group of academics, vehicle manufacturers and freight companies working together to reduce fuel consumption in the road transport industry by improving aerodynamics.

The aim of the project is to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions in the road transport industry by 2020.

Lorries are getting bigger

The ‘boat tail’ makes a lorry more fuel efficient, but adds two metres to its overall length. Longer vehicles not only have the potential to increase congestion, they pose a disproportionately high risk to vulnerable road users like cyclists.

Large lorries in towns pose a disproportionately high risk to cyclists. Of particular danger is the left-turning lorry, the driver of which may not see a cyclist in his near side mirror.

The European Commission is currently considering whether to revise a directive on permissible weights and dimensions of lorries, which could allow vehicles weighing up to 60 tons on EU roads. A study for the Commission should be completed next month, and looks likely to recommend extending the weights and dimensions limits, based on the assumption that 2 bigger lorries will replace 3 standard lorries and therefore reduce congestion, pollution and accidents.

A spokesperson at the Environmental Transport Association, which has joined the petition of organisations against the so-called ‘giga liners’, said: “We support fuel-saving design and technology, but no in cases where the danger top other road users outweighs the benefits.”

At present, 60-ton vehicles are allowed only in Sweden and Finland, 50-ton vehicles are allowed in the Netherlands. Denmark, Belgium and Norway are also considering their introduction. Germany and Britain recently decided against allowing them on their roads.