Michelin is looking to help fleets reduce fuel consumption, and not all offerings are made of rubber.

At the spring meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council, the company introduced its new Energy Guard Lite products to help fleets achieve fuel savings.

New offerings include the Energy Guard Lite Skirt Kit, which it says saves 909 gallons (3,400 liters) of fuel per year on a typical 53-foot trailer, or 1,460 gallons (5,500 liters) a year on a 28-foot double trailer combination.

A new integrated rib cover simplifies installation, requiring only three brackets compared to the standard four or five. The top fairing is compatible with all trailer configurations and flush to the edge so it doesn’t get damaged when docking. It offers 66% higher ground clearance than competitive designs and is also lighter, Michelin claims.

“This latest edition to the Energy Guard family is going to mean even more savings to the fleet owners and drivers on the road today who want a concise, lower-maintenance SmartWay solution,” said Karen Schwartz, business to business vice-president of marketing for Michelin. “This latest addition to fleet accessories is expected to reduce overall operational costs, saving up to 7.2 gallons for every 1,000 miles driven when paired a 53-foot box trailer.”

The company also introduced a new Energy Guard perforated mud flap made from 60-80% recycled materials. It directs road spray downward to improve visibility of nearby motorists. It’s available in sizes: 18”Wx30”L, 24”x24,” 24”x30” and 24”x28.”