Today’s average Class 8 tractor contains 1,000 pounds of aluminum, but a chairman at the Aluminum Association says there is room for that number to grow. Buoyed by the success of using high-strength lightweight aluminum in automotive applications, the commercial vehicle sector is the next step for expanding its use. The future could potentially see aluminum in landing gear, cab roofs and floors, cab doors, rear trailer doors and more, which could save an estimated 3,500 pounds compared to a current truck and trailer. That weight savings could further boost the fuel-efficiency and payload capacity tied to aluminum.

Future Could See Greater Use of Aluminum in Trucks, Trailers

ARLINGTON, Va. — More aluminum on trucks increases fuel efficiency while boosting payload capacity says the chairman of the Aluminum Association’s Auto & Light Truck Group and marketing ground transportation director for Alcoa.

Speaking to the National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on the Assessment of Fuel Economy Technologies for Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles, Randall Scheps says that using high-strength, low-weight materials such as aluminum in commercial vehicle applications offers many possibilities for creating lighter weight trucks and buses.

“Success experienced in the automotive industry in achieving improved fuel economy through lightweighting can be applied to the commercial vehicle sector,” said Scheps.

Aluminum is already used for many items on commercial trucks, including in many cabs, forged aluminum wheels, fuel tanks, tank bodies, and trailers. In fact, Scheps said,

The average Class 8 tractor today contains 1,000 pounds of aluminum — but there’s room for more.

Potential future applications for aluminum could include in landing gear, cab roofs and floors, cab doors, frame rails, rear trailer doors and more.

These emerging technologies, Scheps said, could save 3,500 pounds versus today’s truck and trailer.

[source - todaystrucking.com]