SmartWay-verified Aerodynamic Technologies
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EPA’s SmartWay Transport 

Program is a market-driven 

partnership to help businesses move goods in the 

cleanest, most efficient 

way possible. By providing a 

consistent set of tools and 

information needed to make 

informed transportation 

choices, SmartWay enables 

companies across the country 

to benchmark performance 

data in ways that protect our 

environment, encourage economic vitality, and enhance 

our nation’s energy security. 

EPA’s SmartWay Technology 

program helps carrier fleets 

make informed business 

decisions to save fuel and 

improve their supply chain 

efficiency. 

This new program element 

is part of the 2015 SmartWay 

trailer program updates that 

include adding large refrigeration trailers and incorporating multiple aerodynamic 

performance evaluation tools. 

EPA’s SmartWay Technology Program has expanded to allow trailer aerodynamic 

verification through multiple testing pathways. 

EPA’s SmartWay Technology Program verifies fuel savings from aerodynamic devices and lowrolling resistance tires that can be used on 53-foot box dry van and refrigerated in long-haul 

operations. 

EPA verifies individual devices or combinations of devices tested using SmartWay’s robust 

protocols; these devices are known as “SmartWay-verified” devices. SmartWay aerodynamicstest protocols create consistent, comparable fuel-savings estimates under high-speed cruise 

conditions for long-haul tractor-trailers. 

In 2015, EPA finalized the use of expanded testing-verification pathways to include an enhanced 

track test, wind tunnel testing, coastdown testing, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). If 

trailer aerodynamic devices demonstrate fuel savings in SmartWay testing, they are identified as 

SmartWay-verified and are listed, along with SmartWay-verified low-rolling resistance tires, on the 

SmartWay website’s technology verification page (www.epa.gov/smartway/forpartners/technology.htm). 

Trailer aerodynamic devices can be verified with any of these methods. Previously, SmartWay – 

verified devices were tested using one method. Manufacturers may now choose from three (3) 

SmartWay protocols to determine fuel savings for verification. Manufacturers have the option of 

testing their device using additional SmartWay protocols to receive additional recognition within 

the online verified device table. For example, a manufacturer could initially test and verify a 

device using a wind tunnel test. If the manufacturer also conducts coastdown testing on the same 

device, the SmartWay technology webpage will indicate that the device has demonstrated fuel 

savings with both wind tunnel and coastdown testing. This provides fleet managers with added 

confidence that the device has demonstrated fuel savings. 

EPA also replaced device-based verification categories with performance-based categories for all 

aerodynamic device testing. Aerodynamic devices that fall into these new performance thresholds 

are demonstrated to achieve fuel savings of 1%, 4%, 5% and 9% or more. 

Fleet managers can select individually-verified aerodynamic devices from any of the performance 

thresholds and combine them to meet to the total fuel savings threshold required to qualify as 

EPA—designated SmartWay or SmartWay Elite trailer. For example, the SmartWay trailer threshold 

of at least 5% fuel savings could be achieved by using a 5% device or combining a 1% and a 

4% device. A SmartWay Elite trailer designation could be earned using a 9% package or pairing 

individual 4% and 5% components. 

A listing of SmartWay-verified devices can be found on www.epa.gov/smartway/forpartners/ 

technology.htm 

The table on the following page shows the difference between SmartWay-verified 

technologies, combinations of these technologies, and EPA-designated SmartWay 

and SmartWay Elite trailers. 

Continued 

U.S. EPA SmartWay | EPA-420-F-15-006 | www.epa.gov/smartway 
SmartWay-verified Aerodynamic Technologies Continued 

Aerodynamics on trucks will perform differently depending upon driving speeds, tractor and trailer set-up,
 

and the weather. The SmartWay verification program guides fleets to devices with demonstrated performance
 

using controlled verification testing at high-speed cruise conditions (for consistent comparison). Even though
 

some fleets may see fuel savings higher than the EPA verified levels, many fleets may operate at lower speeds.
 

U.S. EPA SmartWay | EPA-420-F-15-006 | www.epa.gov/smartway 

While SmartWay test methods establish uniform measurement 

conditions, EPA is also conducting research to provide fleets with 

information on how they might adjust fuel savings estimates based 

on their unique operating conditions. These fuel savings are still 

significant and smart business. 

For more information: www.epa.gov/smartway/forpartners/ 

technology.htm or Tech_Center@epa.gov 

Terminology Definition Fuel Savings At a Glance 

SmartWay-verified low-rolling 

resistance tires 

Low-rolling resistance tires that 

have been verified to achieve 1% 

fuel savings for trailers 

1% or greater 

SmartWay-verified aerodynamic 

device 

A trailer fairing (front, side, rear, 

or under-trailer) that have been 

SmartWay-verified to produce 

1%, 4%, or 5% fuel savings 

for trailers 

1%, 4% or 5% or greater 

SmartWay-verified Elite aerodynamic technology combinations A combination of multiple trailer 

fairings (front, side, rear, and/ 

or under-trailer) that have been 

SmartWay-verified to produce 9% 

fuel savings for trailers 

9% or greater 

SmartWay Trailer A 53-foot box dry van or refrigerated trailer that uses SmartWayverified low-rolling resistance tires 

and aerodynamic technology(s) to 

achieve a total of 6% fuel savings 

(1% from trailer tires; 5% 

from aerodynamic 

technologies) 

6% or greater 

SmartWay Elite Trailer A 53-foot box dry van or refrigerated trailer that uses SmartWayverified low-rolling resistance 

tires and SmartWay-verified Elite 

Aerodynamic Technology Combinations to achieve a total of 10% 

fuel savings (1% from trailer 

tires; 9% from aerodynamic 

technologies) 

10% or greater