A system of simple plates attached to the aft-end of a Ford Club Wagon passenger van has been configured to significantly reduce the base drag of the van. When these results are scaled to tractor/semi-trailers or trailer vans it is shown that vehicle drag reductions in excess of 10 percent are possible. Based on the current size of the U.S. semi-trailer van fleet, and yearly over-the-road use estimates, this drag reduction translates into a yearly fuel saving well in excess of 1,000,000,000 gallons. Questions remain unanswered with regard to mechanisms which result in the base drag reduction, as well as performance of the device in a crosswind.


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    Title :

    Reducing U.S. Import Oil Dependence by One Billion Gallons of Diesel Fuel Per Year


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1985


    Size :

    64 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English