For those in the trucking industry, fuel consumption is a crucial factor impacting operational costs and profitability. Understanding which trucks offer the best fuel economy can lead to significant savings over time. This article delves into real-world fuel consumption data gathered from personal tracking, providing insights to help you make informed decisions when considering the Best Fuel Consumption Truck for your needs.
| Truck Model & Configuration | Route | Distance (Miles) | Fuel Used (Gallons) | MPG | Load (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freightliner Cascadia | |||||
| IDP DD13 DT12-DA | Tucson to Fort Collins | 915 | 121.6 | 7.524 | 19 |
| IDP DD13 DT12-OA | Tucson to Lamar | 795 | 111.7 | 7.117 | 20 |
| IDP DD15 DT12-DA | Tucson to Fort Collins | 904 | 124.1 | 7.284 | 20 |
| DD16 DT12-OA | Tucson to Lamar | 795 | 126.1 | 6.304 | 20 |
| Mack Anthem | |||||
| MP8 505C mDrive (direct drive) | Tucson to Fort Collins | 915 | 146 | 6.267 | 20 |
| MP8 415C mDrive (overdrive) | Tucson to Denver | 854 | 128.3 | 6.656 | 20 |
| MP8 415C 13spd | Tucson to Denver | 864 | 127.3 | 6.787 | 20 |
| MP7 395C mDrive (direct drive) | Tucson to Sterling | 971 | 142 | 6.838 | 20 |
| Kenworth T680 | |||||
| ISX15 500 10spd | Tucson to Denver | 854 | 145 | 5.889 | 19 |
| ISX15 450 13spd | Tucson to Colorado Springs | 780 | 130.3 | 5.986 | 19 |
| Peterbilt 579 | |||||
| ISX15 450 13spd | Tucson to Colorado Springs | 780 | 130.3 | 5.986 | 19 |
| MX13 455 13spd | Tucson to Lamar | 791 | 125.6 | 6.297 | 19 |
| Volvo VNL | |||||
| ISX 15 500 13spd | Tucson to Denver | 876 | 142.6 | 6.143 | 18 |
| D13 475 13spd | Tucson to Denver | 871 | 135.7 | 6.418 | 19 |
| International LT | |||||
| X15 450/1650 13spd | Tucson to Denver | 919 | 143.6 | 6.399 | 19 |
| A26 450/1700 13spd | Tucson to Denver | 891 | 136.6 | 6.522 | 19 |
| Cummins X15 Efficiency | |||||
| 450 Eaton Endurant 12spd | Tucson to Fort Collins | 916 | 148.6 | 6.164 | 19 |
| Mack Anthem MP8 | |||||
| 415C mDrive w/ overdrive | Tucson to Denver | 854 | 128.3 | 6.656 | 20 |
This data represents a personal tracking experiment under similar conditions: real automatic trucks in economy mode, realistic fuel consumption settings, comparable routes along I-10 and I-25, similar load weights around 19-20 tons, and cruise control set at 65mph. While variables such as random events, braking, and weigh stations can influence the results, this comparison offers valuable insights into the fuel efficiency of different truck models.
Looking at the MPG figures, the Freightliner Cascadia IDP DD13 DT12-DA configuration shows the highest fuel economy at 7.524 MPG. This suggests that for long-haul routes under similar conditions, this model could be considered among the best fuel consumption trucks in this comparison. Other Freightliner Cascadia configurations also demonstrate competitive fuel efficiency.
In contrast, the Kenworth T680 ISX15 500 10spd and Peterbilt 579 ISX15 450 13spd models in this dataset exhibited lower MPG, around 5.8 to 5.9 MPG. The Cummins X15 Efficiency 450 and Mack Anthem MP8 505C also showed MPG figures in the lower 6 MPG range.
It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive scientific study, and various factors can affect real-world fuel consumption. However, this personal data provides a useful comparative overview of different truck models and their potential fuel efficiency. For businesses seeking the best fuel consumption truck to minimize operational costs, analyzing real-world data like this is a crucial step in the decision-making process. Further research and testing may be needed to validate these findings and consider other factors relevant to your specific trucking needs.
