Fuel savings comes under the microscope

With fuel prices continuing to soar, haulage operators are looking at ways of saving fuel. Everything from eco-friendly truck driving, to tyre pressure, wheel alignment and aero dynamics are coming under the microscope, writes John Loughran.

Eco-friendly truck driving

Driving a truck more sustainably isn’t just good for the environment—it can also cut fuel costs and reduce wear on the vehicle. Drivers should avoid aggressive acceleration and hard braking. Gradual speed changes keep fuel consumption lower and reduce emissions. Using momentum wisely – especially on hills – can make a noticeable difference.

Cruising at a consistent speed improves fuel efficiency. If your truck has cruise control, use it on long, flat stretches to avoid unnecessary fuel burn.

Long idling periods waste fuel and increase emissions. Turn off the engine if you’re stopped for more than a minute or two (unless required for safety or extreme weather conditions). Shift gears at the right time—usually at lower RPMs for fuel efficiency. Modern trucks often have indicators to guide optimal shifting.

Extra weight means extra fuel consumption. Remove unnecessary cargo and equipment when possible, and distribute weight evenly for better efficiency. Avoid traffic congestion, roadworks, and unnecessary detours. Route planning tools can help reduce mileage and idle time.

A well-maintained truck runs more efficiently. Keep up with oil changes, air filter replacements, and engine tune-ups to ensure optimal performance. If possible, explore newer fuel-efficient or electric truck models, or alternative fuels like biodiesel. Even incremental upgrades can make a difference over time.

Tyre pressure

Tyre pressure is one of the simplest, and most overlooked ways to reduce fuel consumption on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Tyre pressure directly affects rolling resistance, which is a major contributor to how much fuel a truck burns.

Why tyre pressure matters

When tyres are under inflated, more of the tyre surface contacts the road. That increases deformation and heat buildup, which raises rolling resistance. The engine then has to work harder to keep the vehicle moving, using more fuel.
By contrast, properly inflated tyres:

• Roll more efficiently
• Reduce drag and energy loss
• Improve overall fuel economy

Real-world impact
Even small deviations matter. Just 10 per cent under inflation can increase fuel consumption by around one to two per cent across a fleet, that adds up quickly in fuel costs it also accelerates tyre wear, meaning more frequent replacements.

Additional benefits beyond fuel savings
Maintaining correct tyre pressure extends tyre lifespan, improves vehicle handling and braking, reduces the risk of blowouts and helps maintain proper load distribution across axles.

Best practices for HGV operators

• Check tyre pressure regularly (at least weekly, and before long hauls)
• Always measure when tyres are cold (before driving or after long rest)
• Follow manufacturer-recommended pressures based on load
• Consider installing a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for real-time alerts
• Train drivers to spot visible under inflation or uneven wear.

Important nuance
Over inflation isn’t the answer either. While it can reduce rolling resistance slightly, it worsens grip and braking, causes uneven wear (centre of the tread) and can compromise safety, especially on wet or uneven roads

Keeping tyres at the correct pressure is a low-cost, high-impact way to cut fuel use in HGVs. It won’t transform efficiency on its own, but combined with good driving habits and maintenance, it’s one of the easiest wins available.

Truck TPMS
Truck TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) are a practical fuel-saving tool—not just a safety feature.A TPMS continuously tracks the air pressure (and often temperature) in each tyre and alerts you if pressure drops below a set level. On heavy trucks, even a small pressure loss can go unnoticed without monitoring.

TPMS isn’t just about preventing flats—it’s a low-effort, high-return way to keep trucks running efficiently. If fuel economy matters (and it always does in trucking), maintaining proper tyre pressure is one of the easiest wins, and TPMS automates that discipline.

Wheel alignment

Proper truck wheel alignment plays big role in fuel savings and directly affects how efficiently your truck moves down the road. When wheels are misaligned, they don’t point in the exact direction they should. Instead of rolling smoothly, they drag slightly across the road surface, forcing the engine to work harder. This increases fuel consumption.

Misaligned wheels create extra friction. Proper alignment ensures all wheels roll straight, minimising resistance and improving efficiency. Bad alignment causes tyres to wear unevenly, which reduces their efficiency. Worn tyres increase drag and lower fuel economy. Keeping tyres in good condition helps maintain optimal performance.

If wheels aren’t aligned, the truck may not track straight, causing small but constant corrections. This can slightly affect airflow and efficiency over long distances.
When the truck isn’t fighting against misaligned wheels, the engine doesn’t need to produce as much power—meaning less fuel burned.

Real-world impact
For heavy trucks, poor alignment can increase fuel consumption by 2% to 10% or more, depending on how severe the issue is. Over long hauls, that adds up to significant cost.

Truck aerodynamics
Improving truck aerodynamics is one of the most effective ways to cut fuel consumption—especially at highway speeds where air resistance dominates. Here’s how it works and what kind of savings you can realistically expect.

At speeds above ~80 km/h, aerodynamic drag becomes the biggest force a truck engine has to overcome. Drag is governed by the drag equation, where resistance increases with the square of speed. That means small improvements in airflow can translate into significant fuel savings.

Roof fairings

Mounted on the cab roof, these deflect air smoothly over the trailer.

• Best for: tractor-trailer combinations
• Fuel savings: ~5–15 per cent

Side skirts
Panels along the lower sides of the trailer reduce turbulent airflow underneath.

• Fuel savings: ~4–10 per cent

Trailer tails (boat tails)
Extendable panels at the rear of the trailer that reduce the low-pressure wake.

• Fuel savings: ~3–7 per cent

Gap reducers
Minimise the space between cab and trailer to reduce drag-causing turbulence.

• Fuel savings: ~2–5 per cent

Wheel covers & fairings
Smooth airflow around wheels, which are major drag contributors.

• Fuel savings: ~1–3 per cent

Combined impact

When multiple aerodynamic devices are used together, total fuel savings can reach:

• 10–25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption on long-haul routes

For a typical heavy-duty truck, that can mean thousands of euros saved annually, depending on mileage and fuel prices.