Big losers

Heavy trucks increasingly employ lighter-weight materials and sleeker shapes-not just for body but major chassis components as well-to trim fuel consumption and emissions.

It should come as no big surprise that the “heavy hitter” in boosting heavy-vehicle fuel efficiency is the hybrid powertrain, be it the electric or hydraulic variety. But, as many industry experts will tell you, hybridization does not benefit all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles equally.

“There are technologies out there today and expected in the next five years that can help achieve what the president [Barack Obama] said was a 25% fuel-consumption reduction. That's his aim; I think it's achievable,” said Dr. Andrew Brown Jr., Executive Director and Chief Technologist for Delphi Corp. These technologies include hybrid powertrains, clean diesel technology, improved aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tires, and lightweight designs.