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Oct 16, 2012 1:58 PM

Hefty fines will  be assessed to truckers and fleets across the United States, Canada and Mexico  starting January 1 if they cross into California without SmartWay-verified  aerodynamic devices—such as side skirts or boat tail fairings—that improve fuel  economy 4 to 5 percent on their 53-foot or longer box and refrigerated  trailers.

  Reefer model years 2003-2009 have a delayed GHG compliance schedule.

 Low-rolling-resistance  tires can improve fuel efficiency even more, however SmartWay-verified tires  cannot be used to help meet the 4 to 5 percent requirement, but will add an  additional 3 percent improvement for both the tractor and trailer.   SmartWay-verified tires won’t be required on 2010 and older box trailers  until January 2017.

“The clock is  ticking for compliance,” said Randy Rhondeau, air pollution specialist for  California’s Air Resources Board (CARB).  “Fleets and owner operators who  travel into California must have aerodynamic devices, unless they registered  with CARB on a phase-in option (which provides an alternate compliance  schedule).  “If you’re pulled over for non-compliance, the owner of the  tractor/trailer can be cited $1,000 per day. The driver of the tractor/trailer  is not off the hook either – that person can be fined $1,000 a day as well.  Fines can increase to $10,000 per day for egregious, repeat offenders.”

Rhondeau said  ignorance is not bliss.  “Information has been out there for quite some  time, so if someone comes in and pleads ignorance, it’s not going to hold  water.  If we catch violators, they’re getting a citation.”

According to Sean  Graham, president of Freight Wing, makers of SmartWay-verified trailer side  skirts and gap fairings, the CARB deadline is meaning a dash for compliance.

 “We’re  fielding a lot of calls asking about what’s needed; and we’re working with  fleets and owner operators getting them set up with skirts,” Graham said.   “One thing we recommend to all those needing trailer side skirts is to do  your homework.  There are several on the market, but don’t just go out and  purchase any model so you’ll be compliant.  Research what is best for your  operation.

Graham said that  all SmartWay-verified skirts will allow you to pass through California, “but  you really need to look at skirts that will pass the test of time.   Durability is the number one issue – you don’t want to learn the hard way  and repurchase side skirts again in a year.”

While the CARB  mandate might seem to be heavy-handed government at work, Graham said that in  this case in particular, aerodynamic fairings on trailers have a very fast  payback.

 “We’ve  worked with many large fleets which have documented real-world fuel savings of  up to 4 percent with our skirts,” he said.  “In testing, at sustained  speeds, our SAE testing has shown up to a 7 percent improvement.  If you  do the math, our skirts can have a payback in as little as 35,000 miles of  trailer utilization.  It’s one of the fastest paybacks in the trucking  industry.”