Ex-Guard's XG-150G2 grille guards were recently tested by MVT Solutions, which provides trucking fuel economy testing services. MVTS announced that the XG-150G2 grille guards had a minimal impact on fuel economy, measuring only -0.58 gal/1000 miles (-0.56%). MVTS's Mesilla Valley Transportation ranks No. 66 on the FleetOwner 500: For-Hire.
"MVTS's research clearly validates the economic benefits of protecting a fleet with Ex-Guard XG-150G2 are minimally impacted by fuel consumption," said Ryan Holt, Ex-Guard general manager.
"Ex-Guard has a long and successful history of protecting fleets from the expense of downtime due to front-end impacts. Our customers report that their typical costs per day run from $1,200 to $2,000 or more a day, while FMCSA data shows front-end crashes typically cost $15,000 or more in damage. Ex-Guard continues to be one of their most affordable measures to protect fleet operating ratios day in and day out—with no downtime," Holt said.
See also: Clark: Impact of tires on fuel economy and operating costs
The MVTS tests were conducted on an International LT sleeper tractor with a Cummins X15 15-liter engine and 53-ft. dry van loaded to 46,000 lbs. Two vehicles ran simultaneously at 65 mph on a 9-mile circle track near Pecos, Texas.
"The XG-150G2 showed it only had a small impact on fuel economy," said Daryl Bear, lead engineer and COO of MVT Solutions. "Using the XG-150G2 will result in an additional fuel expense of only about $364 a year, which needs to be weighed against the cost of repairing a damaged front end. Having only a minor effect on fuel economy, the Ex-Guard grille guards should provide fleets confidence to pursue the products based on operational costs as opposed to fuel economy losses."
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