The Class 8 Peterbilt 587 powered by a Cummins ISX15 engine averaged 9.9 mpg during testing last fall on U.S. Route 287 between Fort Worth and Vernon, Texas. The testing was conducted over 11 runs (more than 11,312 miles) meeting SAE International test standards and the tractor-trailer had a combined gross weight of 65,000 pounds.
That's nice. Just a couple of points, though, and I work in the trucking industry..
Testing that rig through the flatlands in TX is one thing, but run it up some mountain grades and your 9.9 mpg is going to fall a lot.
Also, your average 18 wheeler runs a max gross weight of 80,000 lbs and there are plenty of oversize trucks with extra drop axles that are legal for over 100K lbs. They'll get 9.9 MPG when pigs fly..
And as for the EPA, IMO, that agency has gone way overboard, in more ways than one, and needs a new administration to rein it in.. |
