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DEVELOPMENT AERODYNAMICS
Active Rear Wing System
© Betterflow, Edag
Aerodynamic Optimisation
for Truck Trailers
AUTHORS Aerodynamic optimisation of trucks can be a significant contribution
towards reducing CO 2 emissions. The legislature gave the industry
the freedom to permit aerodynamic components and both not to limit
the usability and loading volume. With the support of Edag, Betterflow
has developed a fully automatic, active rear wing system for truck
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Wolfgang Reul trailers that proved to be effective and functional in initial tests.
is Department Manager Package &
Concepts at Edag Engineering
GmbH in Fulda (Germany).
FULFILLING THE EMISSION GOALS Current climate agreements provide
for a reduction of about 60 % in CO 2
Goods transport by truck has been emissions in the transport sector by
steadily growing for years. Therefore, 2050, compared to 1990 [2]. To achieve
between 1990 and 2010, emissions in these objectives, in 2014 the EU has
Dipl.-Ing. Rainer M. Buffo the truck transport sector increased adopted a strategy to lower the fuel con-
is Manager at Betterflow GmbH by approximately 36 %; 70 % of the sumption and CO 2 emissions from com-
in Aachen (Germany). trucks in Europe are used for long- mercial vehicles. Its purpose is to create
distance transport. Truck transport technological incentives to achieve the
accounts for approximately 25 % of goals by going beyond conventional solu-
the road transport emissions and 5 % tions such as lightweight design. The
of the total level of greenhouse gas European Commission is working on
emissions in Europe [1]. a legislative and certification process,
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