Transport Partnership
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Low Rolling Resistance Tires
A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies
Specifying single wide or low rolling resistance dual tires on a new combination
truck could save $l,9OO in fuel costs, and cut almost 5 metric tons of greenhouse
gas emissions per year. Fuel savings of 3% or higher begin immediately.
What is the challenge?
Tire rolling resistance accounts for nearly 13% of combination truck energy use. Most combi-
nation trucks have non low rolling resistance dual tire assemblies on the drive and trailer ax-
les, with two sets of wheels and tires at each end of an axle. This configuration increases roll-
ing resistance compared to single wide tires or low rolling resistance dual tires and wheels.
What is the solution?
A variety of tire options can improve truck fuel efficiency. One promising strategy is to use
low rolling resistance tires either single wide or energy efficient dual tires. A single wide tire
and wheel is lighter than two standard tires and wheels. Total weight savings for a typical
combination truck using single wide-base tires on its drive and trailer axles ranges from 800
to 1,000 pounds. The weight savings would reduce fuel consumption, or increase cargo
capacity for trucks that are weight-limited. Single wide tires have lower rolling resistance and
aerodynamic drag, and generate slightly less pass-by noise than do, dual tires. Another ben-
efit to using single wide-base tires is fewer tires need to be replaced. There are three types of
wheels steel, low weight steel, and aluminum, with decreasing weigh respectively. The less
weight the rim holds the better fuel economy the truck will get.
Single wide tires may offer other benefits in combination truck stability. Single wide tires can
improve the stability of tank trailers by allowing the tank to be mounted lower.
Materials used to reduce tire rolling resistance could decrease tire tread life slightly. How-
ever, in a test of 15 fleets driving 57 million miles using its latest wide-base tire models, one
manufacturer reported that the tires wear at a rate comparable to conventional tires.
I Fleet owners should
consider purchasing
tractors and trailers
with single wide and
energy efficient dual
tires on their next new
truck purchases.
2. Truck Fleets with non tan
dem axle combination trucks
should check "inch width"
laws in their states because
wide base tires may not com
ply. The new generation of
wide base tires has a section
width of up to I7.5 inches, so
these tires comply with pave
ment weight laws in all 50
states, for a typical tandem
axle combination truck.
3 Single wide tire and wheel
assemblies as a new fitment
are less expensive than dual
tire assemblies and provide
immediate fuel economy
savings. For more information,
talk to your tire and truck
dealers or contact the American
Trucking Associations'
Technology and Maintenance
Council (www.trucking.org).
SmartWay Transport | EPA-420-F-09-040 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.go
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Low Rolling Resistance Tires
Savings and Benefits
Recent tests of low rolling resistance tires indicate a potential fuel economy improvement of 2 to 5 percent compared
to conventional dual tires. By using low rolling resistance tires, a combination long-haul truck could save over 500 gal-
lons of fuel per year and cut emissions of carbon dioxide (the most common greenhouse gas) by more than 5 metric
tons annually. Most importantly, these environmental benefits can often be achieved while cutting costs.
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SmartWay Transport | EPA420F09-041 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov
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