Tell us about BPW’s ECO Air product?
Since 2020, more than 200,000 two- and three-axle trailers have been fitted with ECO Air across Europe. Today, the system is used in almost all key segments of trailer manufacturing.
ECO Air was developed with a clear objective: to offer vehicle manufacturers a 9t air suspension system that can be easily integrated, configured on a modular basis and produced economically, regardless of the vehicle application.
We have based the development of our air suspension on more than 125 years of expertise in running gear systems for towed commercial vehicles. The result is a well-designed system that is simple, modular and cost-effective – and has therefore successfully established itself in large-scale production and operation across Europe.
How important is simplicity when it comes to the design of ECO Air?
A key advantage of ECO Air lies in its design, which is consistently focused on simplicity. The air suspension unit consists of just a few components that are optimally matched to one another: the axle, the cast trailing arm and the cast air bag beam. The reduced number of components is clamped precisely onto the axle using a patented laser process. The result is a particularly robust, durable and easily installed system that has proven its worth in everyday use.
For vehicle manufacturers, this means high availability, fewer components with maximum variant diversity, and rapid integration into existing production processes.
So modularity is another important element then?
Modularity is a central principle of product development at BPW. It allows economical and sustainable maintenance throughout the entire life cycle. In the event of repairs, individual components can be replaced rather than entire assemblies. This reduces costs, conserves resources and contributes to an improved sustainability record.
Thanks to its modular design, the ECO Air air suspension system can be flexibly adapted to a wide variety of vehicle and operational requirements. At the same time, it simplifies design, procurement and manufacturing, thereby ensuring high efficiency throughout the entire value chain. The exceptional practicality of ECO Air is demonstrated by its wide range of applications. The system is currently used in two- and three-axle trailers and features in a wide variety of designs – from curtainsiders and refrigerated box trailers to construction-site tippers.
How cost-effective is the ECO air product?
A running gear system is only truly successful if it is economical for vehicle manufacturers and operators throughout its entire life cycle. ECO Air is the most economical way for standard vehicles to benefit from BPW high-quality running gear systems. But cost-effectiveness does not end with production. Its robust design, low maintenance requirements and calculable operating costs also make ECO Air an attractive option for fleet operators.
Additional security is provided by the 5+3-year ECO Plus warranty with no mileage limit. BPW’s Europe-wide service network and digital services, such as QR code-based parts identification, also help to minimise maintenance and downtime and maintain a consistently high level of vehicle availability.
Fredrik Seglö
General Manager, Trailer Solutions and Mobility Services at BPW
