According to a media statement released on Monday, RaceTrac is targeting one of three soon-to-open travel center locations as its 100th addition to its high-flow diesel network. These locations include Tarrant City, Alabama; Monroe, North Carolina; or Texarkana, Texas. The timeline, however, remains flexible as it is dependent on construction progress.

“Operating our own fleet gives us firsthand knowledge of what it takes to keep trucks on the road and profitable for their operators,” explained Nick LaFalce, Marketing Manager for RaceTrac’s Travel Center and Commercial Fleet Sales Program.

LaFalce emphasized their eagerness to engage with other trucking companies at MATS 2025. He noted that RaceTrac is ready to showcase how their services can support the trucking industry through features such as convenient travel center locations, competitive fuel rates, broad payment options, and amenities tailored specifically to truck drivers.

RaceTrac’s presence at MATS will further solidify its commitment to serving the evolving needs of the trucking community. The company plans to highlight key offerings, including high-flow diesel lanes and expanded parking facilities for trucks, all aimed at enhancing efficiency and convenience for professional drivers.

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: RaceTrac

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The Impact on Engine Power

Ascending to higher altitudes means encountering thinner air. This results in a reduced oxygen supply for your truck’s engine, vital for combustion. With less oxygen, your truck’s power output diminishes, affecting performance.

• A study on trucks navigating the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (3,000-5,000m) highlighted a significant drop in speed when tackling inclines. Trucks faced difficulties in accelerating and maintaining momentum on steep paths due to sparse air.

• Engine power may decline by 4.3% at just 2,000 meters elevation, posing a notable challenge when transporting heavy cargo.

Reduced Fuel Economy

Climbing altitudes forces engines to exert more effort, often leading to increased fuel consumption and decreased efficiency.

• Research indicates that above 4,500 meters, a truck’s brake thermal efficiency—a metric of how efficiently an engine converts fuel to power—declines noticeably. This is due to factors like slower combustion and reduced expansion ratios.

• Heat loss within the engine rises at higher altitudes; for instance, heat transfer to the coolant can increase by 2% at elevations as low as 2,000 meters, further impacting fuel efficiency.

Increased Pollutant Emissions

Less oxygen results not only in diminished power but also in less efficient fuel combustion, leading to elevated emissions. This is a notable concern for trucks operating in environmentally fragile zones.

• Tests in the U.S. and Europe revealed that trucks emit higher levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) at elevated altitudes. Increases in NOx, carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions place additional strain on emission control systems.

• Research in mountainous locales identified that emissions of harmful pollutants like NOx were up to three times higher at high altitudes during extra-urban driving. This arises from the engine’s challenge in managing air-fuel mixture quality in low-oxygen conditions.

Turbocharging as a Solution

Fortunately, there are effective solutions for high-altitude driving challenges. One of the most promising methods to counteract altitude-related power loss is through turbochargers. Turbochargers introduce more air into the engine, offsetting the oxygen deficit in thin air.

• Simulations of trucks at various altitudes demonstrated that advanced turbocharging technology considerably enhanced performance metrics such as acceleration and top speed, particularly in steep, hilly terrains.

Elevation can greatly influence your truck’s functionality, from reduced power and fuel efficiency to increased emissions. If your routes take you through mountainous areas, understanding these effects and employing solutions like turbochargers can keep your truck operating at peak performance. Next time you’re ascending into the mountains, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge of what’s happening under the hood and how to maintain your truck in top condition.

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