CCJ

October 2016

Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal

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72 commercial carrier journal | october 2016 EQUIPMENT: EPA-NHTSA PHASE 2 STANDARDS Even when Ford introduced aluminum into its Super Duty, it doubled down on steel in the truck's backbone. While F-150 shed nearly 38 percent of a ton in the alumi- num conversion, Super Duty saw about half that, thanks to a more rigid steel frame – a move that elevated Super Duty's towing capabilities. Mike Levine, Ford's North America product communica- tions manager, says weight savings from aluminum enabled the company to strengthen key truck components, such as a heavier-duty fully boxed frame, axles, suspension and towing hardware, and still end up with a truck that's 350 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Aluminum's infiltration into trucking may not be as easy, nor as revolutionary, as its conquest of Ford's F-Series. Freightliner introduced the first all-aluminum cab in 1942, and now all of its on-highway tractors feature one. Peterbilt has been using an aluminum cab for nearly three generations. Volvo, Mack and Western Star are among the last of the steel holdouts. "All Volvo Trucks – highway, regional and vocational – have cabs made of high-strength steel," says Jason Spence, Volvo Trucks' product marketing manager. "This is key to the safety and protection of the driver in the event of a col- lision." Timothy Weir, Accuride's director of public affairs, says aluminum wheels already make up nearly 50 percent of the company's total wheel sales, a trend he expects to continue in the march toward MY 2027. But just as Ford found use for heavier steel in the Super Duty truck frame, Weir says steel's role in truck wheels is secure even as it loses market share. "Steel wheels will always play an important role within the commercial vehicle industry," he says, noting that aluminum wheels come with a price premium. "In addi- tion, certain market segments simply don't benefit from the specific characteristics that aluminum wheels offer." Aluminum aside, Accuride also has worked to develop lighter-weight steel. "We continue to introduce advanced lightweight steel wheels that help to improve fuel economy at prices considerably less than the prices for aluminum wheels," Weir says. Looking at trailers, APUs For the first time, the agencies also are finalizing fuel effi- ciency and GHG standards for trailers. EPA trailer stan- dards will take effect in MY 2018 for certain trailers, while NHTSA's standards will take effect for 2021. Credits will be available for voluntary participation before those times. While EPA for years has mandated that tractors boost ef- ficiency, the agency largely overlooked how the trailer could contribute to gains until Phase 2. Meanwhile, in addition to the CO2 emissions standards Ford shaved 750 pounds from its flagship F-150 pickup for MY 2015 by converting much of the steel body to aluminum. For 2017, Ford will apply a similar strategy to its beefier Super Duty line. Accuride says aluminum wheels already make up nearly 50 percent of the company's total wheel sales, a trend it expects to continue in the march toward MY 2027. EPA trailer standards will take effect in MY 2018 for certain trailers, while NHTSA's standards will take effect as of 2021. Credits will be available for voluntary participation before those times.

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