US study says 10-percent reduction in replacement tyre rolling resistance is feasible

Washington DC - "Reducing the average rolling resistance of replacement tyres by a magnitude of 10 percent is technically and economically feasible," states the executive summary of a long-awaited report by the US-based National Academy of Sciences.

The study, "Tires and Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy: Informing Consumers, Improving Performance," calls on Congress to authorise the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to gather and report information on how motorists' individual choices of passenger tyres can maximise their vehicles' fuel efficiency.

NHTSA should consult with the Environmental Protection Agency and the tyre industry on how to gather and report this information, the study said. Reducing replacement tyre rolling resistance by 10 percent would save between 1 billion and 2 billion gallons of fuel annually, the equivalent of taking 2 million to 4 million cars and light trucks off the road, it added.

A combination of consumer information, modified tyre designs and development of new technologies to further reduce tyre rolling resistance would achieve the desired fuel efficiency goals, the study said. It added, however, that all these things would be ineffective without vigilance in proper tyre inflation and maintenance.

Fuel savings from reduced average rolling resistance of replacement tyres should exceed higher tyre purchase prices as long as tyres don't wear out faster as a consequence, the study said. While reduced rolling resistance may affect traction, it added, it probably won't affect safety in any detectable way.

California passed a replacement tyre fuel efficiency rating requirement two years ago, and similar bills have been introduced in several other states as well as in the US Congress. Currently the California Energy Commission is performing its own feasibility study on rating replacement tyres for rolling resistance.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)

Website of US Transportation Research Board of the National Academies