Truck and rail transportation provides a cost-effective means to transport 

much of America’s freight. There are simple actions that can be taken to make 

ground freight more efficient and cleaner for the environment. The follow- ing technologies and practices can help truck carriers save fuel and money, 

reduce air pollution, and cut carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to cli- mate change.

Overview of Carrier Strategies

SM

Idle Reduction

An idling truck burns nearly one gallon of diesel fuel per 

hour. Reducing unnecessary idling could save each truck 

over $3,000 in fuel costs, reduce air pollution, and cut 19 

metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

•	 On-board idle reduction systems include auxiliary 

power units that provide electricity to the cab, directfired heaters and coolant systems that provide 

temperature control, and programmable automatic 

engine shut-off systems. 

•	 Truck plazas equipped with truck stop electrification 

systems allow trucks to draw electrical power and in 

some cases heating, cooling, telecommunication, and 

Internet hookups from a ground source.

Improved Aerodynamics

Reducing the aerodynamic drag of a typical line-haul 

truck by 15 percent could cut annual fuel use more than 

2,000 gallons, save over $3,500 in fuel costs, and elimi- nate 20 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

•	 Tractor aerodynamics can be improved by adding 

integrated roof fairings, cab extenders, side fairings, 

and aerodynamic bumpers. New truck buyers can pur- chase aerodynamic models with streamlined profiles. •	 Trailer aerodynamics can be improved by minimiz- ing tractor-trailer gap, adding side skirts and rear air 

fairings, and arranging cargo and tarpaulins as low, 

taut and smooth as possible. •	 •Single-unit trucks can be improved with air deflector

bubbles or by purchasing new streamlined models.

Improved Freight Logistics

Improved logistics can reduce the miles that a truck 

drives empty. Eliminating 15 percent of a line-haul truck’s 

empty miles could save $3,000 in fuel and reduce 24 met- ric tons of carbon dioxide annually. 

•	 Improved logistics include load matching, more effi- cient routes and delivery schedules, and improved 

shipping and receiving practices. •	 A carrier may employ low-cost options like triangular 

routing, coordinating loads with other fleets, and 

checking electronic load boards, or the carrier may 

purchase freight broker services and logistics software.

Automatic Tire Inflation Systems

Retrofitting a line-haul truck with an automatic tire 

inflation system could save 100 gallons of fuel annually 

and reduce tire wear and maintenance, while eliminating 

one metric ton of carbon dioxide.

•	 Truck fleets that find it too difficult or expensive 

to monitor tire pressure on a regular basis should 

consider installing automatic tire inflation (ATI) systems on drive and trailer tires. 

•	 An ATI system used on a typical line-haul truck can 

generally pay for itself in just over two years, while 

decreasing the risk of expensive tire failure caused 

by under inflation.

Single Wide-base Tires

Specifying single wide-base tires on a new combination 

truck could save $1,000 immediately and reap annual 

fuel savings of 2 percent or more while cutting carbon 

dioxide by more than four metric tons.

•	 Single wide-base tires save fuel by reducing vehicle

weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. 

These tires can also improve tank trailer stability by 

allowing the tank to be mounted lower. •	 There are several single wide-base tire models from 

which to choose, plus these tires can be retreaded.

Driver Training

Even highly experienced drivers can boost their skills 

with training aimed at raising fuel economy by 5 percent 

or more, which would save $1,200 in annual fuel costs 

and cut eight metric tons of carbon dioxide.

•	 Effective driver training programs can improve fuel 

economy by 5 percent or higher. Some fleets report

fuel economy gains of up to 20 percent. •	 Among other techniques, drivers learn progressive 

shifting, engine speed optimization, idle reduction, 

smoother braking and acceleration, anticipatory 

driving, speed control, and optimal gearing.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Office of Transportation and Air Quality • February 2004 • EPA420-F-02-052 • www.epa.gov/smartway
Low-Viscosity Lubricants

When used in a line-haul truck, synthetic engine and 

drive train lubricants can improve fuel economy by up 

to 3 percent, saving as much as 500 gallons of fuel and 

cutting up to five metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

•	 Low-viscosity synthetic or semi-synthetic lubri- cants flow more easily and withstand the extreme 

pressure of engine, transmission, and drive train 

systems better than conventional mineral oil 

blends. •	 The operator of a typical line-haul truck can save 

up to $500 annually by switching to low viscosity 

lubricants, with additional savings possible due to 

reduced wear and maintenance of truck systems.

Intermodal Shipping

Intermodal freight transport combines the best attributes of both truck and rail shipping. Over long distances using intermodal can cut fuel and carbon diox- ide by 65 percent, compared to truck-only moves.

•	 Carriers can maximize resources by using freight 

trains to handle the long-distance portion of a 

freight move, especially for less time-sensitive 

cargo that is shipped over 500 miles. •	 Intermodal options include trailer on flat car 

(TOFC), container on flat car (COFC), double stack 

service, rail bogeys and dual-mode trailers, and rail 

platforms that can accommodate standard trailers.

Longer Combination Vehicles

A freight truck using longer or multiple trailers can 

haul more cargo than a standard combination truck, 

potentially saving up to $5,000 in fuel costs and 34 

tons of carbon dioxide on a ton-mile basis annually.

•	 Common longer combination vehicle (LCV) configurations include the Rocky Mountain Double, 

Turnpike Double, Triples, and Eight-Axle Twin 

Trailers. 

•	 A motor carrier operating in states that permit 

LCVs can reduce the number of trips required to 

haul a given amount of freight—saving time, money, 

and emissions.

Reducing Highway Speed

A line-haul truck with 90 percent highway miles that 

reduces its top speed from 70 to 65 miles per hour 

could cut its annual fuel bill nearly $1,500 while eliminating almost 10 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

•	 Reducing highway speed also reduces engine and 

brake wear, which cuts down the cost and frequency of maintenance service, and keeps revenue earning equipment on the road longer. 

•	 Any truck carrier can adopt a speed management 

policy at little or no cost. The most success- ful speed reduction policies combine electronic 

engine controls with driver training and incentives.

Weight Reduction

Reducing 3,000 pounds from a line-haul truck by 

using lighter-weight components could save up to 300 

gallons of fuel annually and eliminate up to three met- ric tons of carbon dioxide.

•	 Aluminum alloy wheels, axle hubs, clutch housings, 

and cab frame can trim hundreds of pounds from 

a truck tractor. Downsizing to a smaller engine 

can also provide significant weight savings. 

•	 Thousands of pounds can be reduced from a truck 

trailer using aluminum roof posts, floor joists, 

upright posts, and hubs and wheels.

Hybrid Powertrain Technology

Hybrid vehicles can provide roughly $2,000 in fuel 

savings and cut carbon dioxide by up to 12 metric tons 

per year when used in stop-and-go freight applications 

like parcel delivery service.

•	 Hybrid vehicles have two propulsion power sources, making it possible to capture energy otherwise 

lost during braking and provide boost to the main 

engine which in turn can run more efficiently. 

•	 Most hybrid vehicles use an internal combustion 

engine for the main power source with various 

secondary power and energy storage configurations, including electric and hydraulic systems.

Renewable Fuels

In addition to benefiting the environment and helping 

reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, using biodiesel 

can provide more lubricity which may help extend a 

vehicle’s engine life.* Most diesel engines can run on 

biodiesel without needing any special equipment, and 

when running on biodiesel, will have similar horsepow- er and torque as conventional diesel.

•	 Biodiesel provides significant reductions in green- house gas (GHG) emissions -- B100 reduces lifecy- cle GHG emissions by more than 50 percent, while 

B20 reduces emissions by at least 10 percent. •	 Biodiesel also reduces emissions of carbon mon- oxide, particulate matter, sulfates, hydrocarbons 

and air toxics. •	 Biodiesel produced from crops grown in the U.S.

can help America’s family farmers while bolstering 

America’s energy security. 

* Always check with your engine manufacturer before 

switching to biodiesel, and look for biodiesel that meets applicable 

ASTM and BQ9000 requirements.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Office of Transportation and Air Quality • February 2004 • EPA420-F-02-052 • www.epa.gov/smartway