Wal-Mart Tells Truck Makers: Double Class 8 Fuel Efficiency

al-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, an-nounced that within 10 years it would double the fuel efficiency for its fleet of heavy-duty trucks to an average of 13 miles per gallon — a goal it said would eventually reshape trucks around the globe.

“By being the leader, we will not only change our fleet, but eventually change trucks everywhere in the world,” said Chief Executive Officer Lee Scott. “We will increase our fleet efficiency by 25% over the next three years and double it within 10 years.” The company said its trucks now average 6.5 mpg.

Wal-Mart operates about 6,700 tractors and also uses many of the nation’s largest for-hire fleets. The sought-after gains in truck fuel economy for Wal-Mart would slash the company’s fuel bill by $310 million a year, Scott said in a speech last week.