How do you communicate and educate customers and stakeholders on the benefits of drag reduction on vehicles?

1 Why drag matters

Drag is the force that opposes the motion of a vehicle through the air. It depends on the shape, size, speed, and orientation of the vehicle, as well as the density and viscosity of the air. Drag affects the vehicle's acceleration, top speed, handling, stability, and aerodynamic noise. Reducing drag can improve all these aspects, as well as lower the fuel consumption and emissions of the vehicle.

2 How to measure drag

One way to measure drag is by using the drag coefficient, which is a dimensionless number that indicates how aerodynamic a vehicle is. The drag coefficient is determined by testing the vehicle in a wind tunnel or on a track, and comparing the drag force with a reference area. The lower the drag coefficient, the less drag the vehicle experiences. For example, a typical car has a drag coefficient of about 0.3, while a streamlined bike has a drag coefficient of about 0.1.

3 How to reduce drag

There are many ways to reduce drag on a vehicle, depending on its design, function, and purpose. Smoothing and rounding the edges and corners can reduce turbulence and separation of the air flow. Additionally, optimizing the front and rear shapes of the vehicle can minimize pressure differences and drag-inducing vortices. Spoilers, wings, or diffusers can be used to balance the lift and downforce of the vehicle and enhance its stability and handling. Reducing the frontal area and cross-sectional area will decrease the amount of air that the vehicle has to push through. Lastly, minimizing external accessories that protrude from the vehicle, such as mirrors, antennas, or roof racks, will also help to reduce drag.

4 How to communicate drag reduction

When communicating the benefits of drag reduction to customers and stakeholders, you need to tailor your message to their level of knowledge, interest, and motivation. To do so, use simple and clear language to explain the concept and effects of drag, avoiding jargon or technical terms. Visual aids, such as diagrams, graphs, or animations can be used to illustrate how drag works and how it can be reduced on different vehicles. Examples, analogies, or stories can relate drag reduction to their everyday experiences or goals. Additionally, use numbers, facts, or testimonials to support your claims and show the tangible benefits of drag reduction. Finally, use questions, feedback, or demonstrations to engage them and check their understanding and satisfaction.

5 How to educate drag reduction

To help your customers and stakeholders understand the benefits of drag reduction, you can provide them with resources, such as manuals or videos, that explain the principles and methods. You can also offer training, coaching, or mentoring sessions to teach them the skills and techniques. Additionally, invite them to join a community, network, or forum where they can interact with other people who are interested in drag reduction and share their ideas. Furthermore, encourage them to experiment, test, or measure the effects of drag reduction on their own vehicles or projects. By communicating and educating your customers and stakeholders on the benefits and applications of drag reduction, you can build trust, loyalty, and satisfaction among them and grow your business or reputation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?