Fersa Fuel Efficient: Up to 7.30% less fuel with low-friction technology that revolutionizes transport fleets

In the world of logistics and transportation, even minor increases in fleet efficiency can lead to substantial improvements in the bottom line. As fuel prices rise and environmental regulations tighten, transportation fleets face a major challenge: maintaining profitability while meeting increasingly stringent sustainability requirements.

An example of this reality is reflected by Sesé, one of Europe's leading supply chain management companies with a fleet of more than 3,000 trucks.

Carlos Giner, Corporate Director of Transport at the company, explains that “every percentage of fuel savings can translate into significant cost reductions at our scale of operations” and, at the same time, assures that it is “essential to seek innovative solutions that contribute to meeting our sustainability objectives without compromising operational efficiency”.

In response to this problem, FERSA has developed the Fuel Efficient wheel hub assembly, a solution that aims to transform commercial transportation, as it has demonstrated through various tests and studies a friction reduction of up to 50% and savings of up to 7.30% in fuel consumption.

Fersa: Experts in Powertrain solutions for heavy-duty vehicles

Headquartered in Zaragoza, Spain, and with more than 50 years of experience behind it, Fersa is a global leader in high-performance bearings and powertrain solutions for commercial and heavy-duty truck applications. With a presence on five continents and a workforce of more than 1,000 employees, Fersa has positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in the automotive industry.

The company's latest release, the Fuel Efficient Wheel Hub Assembly, is the result of years of research and development of low-friction technology. This technology focuses on minimizing energy loss due to friction, which is a significant factor in vehicle fuel consumption.

The science behind the Fuel Efficient Wheel Hub Assembly

Efficiency in motion has a science to it, and Fersa works tirelessly to get the best results from its products. The Fuel Efficient wheel hub assembly redefines performance in heavy haulage, combining precision and technology to overcome challenges on the road. Here are the key features that make it a leading alternative in the market:

• Microgeometric improvements. Fersa has refined the microscopic surface geometry of the bearing components, ensuring smoother operation and reduced friction.
• Advanced seals and materials. Thanks to advanced materials and geometry, it provides superior protection against contaminants while maintaining maximum performance and achieving low friction characteristics.
• High load capacity. Despite the focus on reducing friction, these bushing assemblies are designed to withstand the demanding loads of trucks and buses without compromising performance.
• Optimized lubrication. The use of premium components and advanced lubrication technology ensures consistent bearing performance and durability.

In laboratory tests, the result of these improvements in FERSA's Fuel Efficient wheel hubs demonstrated a friction reduction of up to 50% compared to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) bearings.

From the lab to the road

While the technical features are exceptional, truck and bus fleet managers need solutions that deliver real, measurable results in the field. That's why Fersa, overriding this need for concrete evidence, has backed up its lab findings with real-world testing.

To evaluate the impact of this technology, Fersa's Smart Mobility team conducted a pilot program with fleet operators in Spain and Brazil. Over six months, the tests demonstrated a 6.50% reduction in fuel consumption, which equates to a total of 19 metric tons of CO₂ less per year.

Proven and certified performance:

To validate the findings in the lab, Fuel Efficient bushings were subjected to a series of independent tests under real-world conditions, through WLTC tests specifically tailored for heavy-duty vehicles, presenting remarkable results.

The tests were certified by two major organizations in the automotive industry: Maswer, an engineering and consulting firm with more than 45 years of experience working with original equipment manufacturers in the automotive sector. On the other hand, TechnoPark Motorland, a technology center that provides companies related to the automotive sector with research and innovation resources to develop their technology projects.

Thanks to these two organizations and together with Sesé, Fersa's strategic partner in carrying out these field tests, it was concluded that:

• In Mixed Cycle (WLTC), a global standard for determining pollutant levels, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. This protocol combines urban, suburban and highway driving scenarios, replicating real-world driving patterns with varying speeds and loads. In this test FERSA achieved a 2.64% reduction in fuel consumption.
• In Urban Driving conditions, certified tests revealed a 0.78% reduction in fuel consumption, simulating urban environments with dense traffic and frequent speed variations.
• Tests in Adverse Environments showed an impressive fuel economy of 7.10% after exposure to severe conditions.
• In Open Road/Interurban Conditions, a 7.30% reduction in fuel consumption was achieved during long-distance transport operations.

Beyond fuel savings

In addition to the certified fuel savings that Fuel Efficient wheel hub assemblies can guarantee, the benefits of this product go beyond that. Among other advantages, this product reduces the environmental impact and significantly improves the profitability of these applications.

Thanks to savings in fuel consumption, fleets reduce their CO2 emissions by up to 5.40 tons per 150,000 kilometers driven, which is equivalent to planting 180 trees. In addition, the precision engineering and advanced technology used in these products ensure long-lasting performance by withstanding high loads and adverse driving conditions.

In the rapidly evolving world of transportation, staying ahead of the curve means embracing innovations that deliver real, measurable results. That is why, day after day, Fersa continues to work to provide its customers with the best quality and technical support, developing innovative products that position itself at the forefront of an increasingly competitive market.