Independent testing confirms that FlowBelow's new AeroFender
saved 1.49 gallons of fuel for every 1,000 miles driven, or 187
gallons over the course of 125,000 miles.
AUSTIN,
Texas, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --
FlowBelow Aero, Inc., a leader in developing tractor and trailer
aerodynamic technologies, announced the introduction of its
AeroFender today. The newest product in FlowBelow's aerodynamic
equipment lineup, the AeroFender has been rigorously tested and is
now widely available at OEM mod centers for installation on new
trucks, or directly from FlowBelow, or thru the OEM dealer network
for retrofit applications.
"After extensive durability testing and ROI
cost analysis, we began putting FlowBelow AeroFenders on our fleets
in 2021." – Daniel James
The AeroFender reduces drag on day- and sleeper-cabs and
provides another critically important tool for fleets to improve
fuel economy and to reduce CO2 emissions. The low-profile device
provides the same safety and operational benefits as a traditional
quarter fender, but improves fuel efficiency by re-directing the
airflow ahead of and around a power unit's leading drive axle.
At a controlled track test completed in November 2023 by Mesilla Valley Transportation
Solutions, the technology was proven to save 1.49 gallons of fuel
for every 1,000 miles driven, or 1.44 percent overall. Fleets can
expect a truck with an AeroFender installed and traveling 125,000
miles per year, to save an estimated 187 gallons of fuel and
approximately 4,207.5 pounds of CO2.
At 22.5 pounds of CO2 per gallon of diesel fuel, a fleet of
1,000 could reduce its CO2 emissions by as much as 4,207,500
pounds, or 2,103.75 tons. In addition to the associated fuel
savings and environmental upsides, FlowBelow calculates that the
ROI on its AeroFender will come in at under one year from the date
of its installation.
McLane Company, Inc. has been a user of FlowBelow's Tractor
AeroKit and trailer wheel covers for some time. In 2021 the fleet
was an early adopter of the AeroFender in advance of its release to
the industry at large.
"After extensive durability testing and ROI cost analysis, we
began putting FlowBelow AeroFenders on our fleets in 2021," said
Daniel James, director of transport
and tech at McLane. "The technology has proven itself over many
years and millions of miles. We continue to spec it on all new
vehicles to help us save fuel and reduce the environmental impact
of our fleet."
McLane proved to be an ideal test case for the AeroFender. The
exposure to a wide variety of drivers, environmental factors and
driving conditions provided valuable insights and solidified
FlowBelow's confidence that the AeroFender would be very attractive
to fleets.
"We have over 1,200 units in the field, and we're excited to
begin offering it to a broader spectrum of fleet customers," said
Josh Butler, FlowBelow president and
CTO. "We believe it will offer great appeal to LTL and day cab
fleets, which is a sector of the market that has not traditionally
been as likely to utilize our flagship Tractor AeroKit. The
AeroFender is extremely durable, easy to install, and a smart
upgrade to a component that these fleets are already buying."
As a final step, FlowBelow decided to conduct independent
testing that would add an objective point of view and statistical
analysis to the equation. It chose Mesilla Valley Transportation
Solutions, a provider of breakthrough fuel economy testing and
design and development services for the trucking industry, to put
the AeroFender through its paces.
"FlowBelow's mission is to help save fleets 500 million gallons
of fuel by 2030. Introducing the AeroFender makes that goal more
attainable," said Ted Simmonds, CEO
of FlowBelow. "New product innovation is what drives us. We focus
our efforts on developing products that not only help fleets save
fuel, but also help them advance their sustainability
objectives."
The AeroFender is available for purchase thru OEM mod centers
for installation on new trucks, or directly from FlowBelow or thru
the OEM dealer network for retrofit applications.
To access the full MVT Solutions test report, please visit:
https://www.m-v-t-s.com/certified-technology/aerodynamics/flowbelow-aerofender/.
To access high-resolution product images and facts about the
AeroFender, please visit: https://www.flowbelow.com/aerofender.
About FlowBelow
FlowBelow's purpose is to positively impact people's lives and the
sustainability of our planet through aerodynamic innovation. They
are a Texas-based company founded
by mechanical and aerospace engineers. Their product development
process includes advanced computational fluid dynamics modeling and
extensive interaction with fleet mechanics and drivers to ensure
the products provide utility, efficiency, and profitability for
fleets. FlowBelow's tractor and trailer aerodynamic products are
manufactured in the USA and have
fuel savings verified by third party SAE Type II fuel economy
testing. For more information please visit
http://www.flowbelow.com.
About MVT Solutions
MVT Solutions, a subsidiary of Mesilla Valley Transportation,
provides fuel economy testing based on race car engineering. This
high-tech testing methodology can obtain accuracy up to 0.25% and
accounts for such variables as wind, driver behavior and duty
cycle. With over 1000 fuel economy tests conducted to date, the
company's proven approach provides highly reliable and consistent
data that enables trucking companies to make more informed choices
and manufacturers to design and develop products backed by accurate
fuel efficiency information that customers trust. MVT Solutions
also provides consulting services to fleets looking to implement
the right fuel-savings technologies for their operations. MVT
Solutions was founded in 2016 and is based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. To learn more about
MVT Solutions and for the latest in fuel efficiency news, visit
http://www.m-v-t-s.com.
About McLane
Founded in 1894, McLane Company Inc. is one of the largest
distributors in America, serving convenience stores, mass
merchants, and chain restaurants. As an industry-leading partner to
the biggest retail and restaurant businesses, McLane buys, sells,
delivers, and serves the world's most beloved brands. With
headquarters in Temple, Texas,
McLane has more than 80 distribution centers across the country,
employs more than 25,000 teammates, and delivers to nearly every
zip code in the US. McLane is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. For more information please visit
https://www.mclaneco.com.
Corporate Contact:
FlowBelow
Katie Breitschopf
512-520-5350
katie@flowbelow.com
AeroFender and AeroKit are trademarks of FlowBelow Aero,
Inc.
Media Contact
Rick Ashley, OctaneVTM,
317-920-6105, rashley@octanevtm.com
Twitter
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SOURCE FlowBelow Aero, Inc.