Group of Four Partners Presents Highly Efficient Tractor Unit

Aerodynamically optimized truck Mercedes-Benz Actros 1848 LS 4×2 in use at Vion Food Group is expected to reduce fuel consumption by eight percent. The efficiency increase was achieved in collaboration with aerodynamics specialist Betterflow and commercial vehicle manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull.

(Crailsheim/Stuttgart/Vreden/Aachen) The international food producer Vion aims to significantly reduce its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in the coming years. The company has set itself the goal of reducing its emissions in nationwide meat logistics by eight percent. To achieve this goal, the company is launching a pilot project with renowned partners from the logistics industry. Together with Mercedes-Benz Trucks, trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull, and aerodynamics specialist Betterflow, the first optimized truck is now hitting the road. Vion has opted for the already fuel-efficient Mercedes-Benz Actros 1848 LS 4×2 in this context.

Interaction of All Components

Reducing fuel or CO2 emissions is currently one of the biggest challenges in road freight transport. It is not only the drive of the truck that is decisive, but also the trailer structure, the tires, and the type of road being traveled. Aerodynamics is also a factor that has a strong influence on fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions. Airflows cannot flow freely, especially at the angular edges of vehicles. Modern tractor units face various challenges, such as the gaps between the tractor and the trailer. The airflows create a negative pressure that the truck must overcome additionally. Just to overcome this air resistance, approximately 13 liters of fuel per 100 km are consumed – more than a third of the available mechanical energy.

Optimized Aerodynamics and Fuel Efficiency

“With its various aerodynamic features, the Actros is the ideal truck to take a step towards environmentally friendly transport and reduce the emissions of Vion’s vehicle fleet. The truck is equipped with the MirrorCam system, which is located on the roof frame and replaces the classic rearview mirrors. The camera image swivels when turning and changing lanes, thus providing improved all-round visibility. Additionally, the MirrorCam is very compact and aerodynamically designed. This helps to reduce the fuel consumption of the Actros by up to 1.5 percent,” explains Joachim Schlereth, Sales Manager of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Germany. Furthermore, the concave end edge flaps on the cab further optimize the drag coefficient of the combination and thus its consumption. Another highlight that increases the truck’s efficiency is the further improved Predictive Powertrain Control. The system recognizes the road profile and adjusts the vehicle’s driving style so that up to 5 percent less fuel is consumed on rural routes. For increased comfort, Vion has opted for the L-cab StreamSpace with a flat floor and the Multimedia Cockpit interactive. In terms of safety, the Actros also stands out: the truck is equipped with a distance assistant, attention assistant, and turning assistant. Additionally, the truck features the latest generation emergency braking assistant Active Brake Assist 5 with pedestrian detection, as well as Active Drive Assist, which enables partially automated driving in all speed ranges and ensures the correct distance and lane keeping.
The Widmann GmbH & Co. KG dealership is the responsible Mercedes-Benz dealer for Vion and supplied the Actros. Based in Aalen, Württemberg, Widmann GmbH & Co. KG is also active in Bavaria, Saxony, and Brandenburg with around 1,150 employees and 12 locations. There is an intensive partnership between the two companies, which is actively maintained through various project activities. The best example of this is this joint concept vehicle.

Betterflow Aerodynamic Package on Schmitz Cargobull Refrigerated Trailer Saves on Long Distances

To further optimize the vehicle, Vion is cooperating with the Aachen startup Betterflow. The aerodynamics specialists optimize the shape of the trailers and have proven in a large-scale field test in 2020 over 4 million kilometers how significant the diesel savings are in the real world. The Aachen engineers add three components to the trailer: an underbody fairing (LowFLOW), a front wing for the front wall of the trailer (HighFLOW), and as a central unit, the rear wing system RearFLOW, which opens automatically at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour and closes again at slower speeds. “With constant-speed tests on the Dekra test track, the drag coefficient improvement of the aerodynamic package has been certified since 2019 and is thus also integrable into the important EU program VECTO, which determines the CO2 quality of commercial vehicles and will soon also regulate the level of toll charges,” explains Betterflow Managing Director Dirk Sieprath. “Our components are a climate protection measure that is economically viable; they can now be easily deployed throughout Europe, as RearFLOW is type-approved and can also be retrofitted as an independent technical unit.”
Vion has now put the first tractor trailer from Schmitz Cargobull on the road, equipped with the aerodynamic package from Betterflow. “Vion receives a trailer from Schmitz Cargobull from our latest EcoGeneration. This trailer concept is already a contribution to more fuel savings and CO2 reduction in road freight transport,” says Frank Reppenhagen, Sales Manager of Schmitz Cargobull Western Europe.

Sustainable Supply Chains Through Future-Oriented Mobility & Logistics

“Whoever, like us at Vion, wants to take responsibility for sustainable value creation along their entire supply chain must not overlook the topic of mobility and logistics,” says Vion Logistics Chief Sven Janßen. “Through the gradual conversion of our fleet, Vion is clearly moving towards a future-oriented food supply: With the aerodynamically optimized trucks, around half a million liters of diesel could be saved and CO2 emissions reduced by 1,500 tons with an average performance of 100,000 kilometers traveled per year.”

Vion Holding N.V.

Vion is an international food company specializing in meat, meat products, and plant-based alternatives. Vion has production sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, as well as sales support offices in 13 countries worldwide. 

Betterflow GmbH

Betterflow develops, produces, and distributes aerodynamic packages for trailers. With an automatic rear wing system, the Aachen company presents a market-ready world first that significantly improves the efficiency of tractor units in conjunction with other components.

Schmitz Cargobull

Schmitz Cargobull is a German manufacturer of semi-trailers, superstructures, and trailers since 1892. Through a wide production network, the company’s products are in use throughout Europe.
Photo: © Daimler