March 13, 2008 - DHL has partnered with U.K. department store chain TK Maxx on a delivery truck redesign aimed at boosting fuel efficiency and cutting emissions without compromising load capacity. The companies are working with manufacturer Don-Bur to develop a new front bulkhead air deflector for double deck trailers that boosts truck fuel efficiency by reducing wind resistance.

A prototype of the new air deflector has been tested on ten TK Maxx double deck trailers, and results of the initial trial indicate the modest improvement in aerodynamics can yield up to 3.5% fuel savings and reduce carbon emissions by up to 5.25 metric tons per vehicle each year.

"The new system is an excellent solution and the controlled tests demonstrate that we can retain maximum volume and cut fuel consumption at the same time," says Simon Barker, vice president of logistics at TK Maxx. "However cost efficiencies are also paramount to our business and thanks to intelligent design innovation by DHL and Don-Bur the fuel savings will provide a payback within the first year - even after taking into account the cost of fitting and production for each trailer."

This initiative is the latest in a series of green projects developed jointly by DHL and TK Maxx.

The idea of boosting truck fuel efficiency through better aerodynamics appears to be gaining currency among U.K. retailers. British electronics retailer PC World recently employed a similar approach.

DHL says it continues to look for greater efficiencies in reducing carbon emissions in its retail supply chain. In December the company was rated one of the world's greenest shippers by the nonprofit Climate Counts.