Bigger is not always better, especially when it comes to gas guzzlers. Huge vehicles like tractor trailers usually fail miserably at eco tests, because they need a lot of fuel to keep those huge boxes running at great speeds against the wind.
In order to reduce the impact that these wheeled giants have on the environment, Mercedes-Benz decided to create an aerodynamically improved tractor trailer concept with a front airdam, trim panels and tapers that significantly reduce air resistance (by 18 percent). Fuel consumption is reduced by nearly 5 percent. This means that one trailer will save 2000 liters of diesel per year, and over five tonnes of CO2.
The only problem is, the tail extension makes the vehicle longer than currently permitted by law. Mercedes hopes that a legislative dispensation will allow the nature-friendly (or at least friendlier than others) vehicle to one day enter production.
