Can you save fuel by slipstreaming other vehicles?
We got a little convoy, ain't she a beautiful sight.
Asked by: John Russell, Inverness
Yes, vehicles create a region of relatively low-pressure air behind them, and it is indeed possible to reduce fuel consumption by getting into this ‘slip-stream’. According to research published last year by the University of Aachen, Germany, lorries can save around 17 per cent in fuel by tailgating each other. Don’t try it yourself, though.
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Authors
Robert is a science writer and visiting professor of science at Aston University.
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