Tiremakers go green with SmartWay

EPA fuel efficiency designation is the hot thing in truck tires. Here's why -- and how you can benefit!

By: Mike Manges

“SmartWay is a great tool for fleets to use in choosing products that will help them reduce their operating costs,” says John Cooney, director of commercial sales, Yokohama Tire Corp.

It’s no secret that fuel efficiency has been a top concern among trucking fleets for many years. However, up until recently, any effort by fleet owners to reduce fuel consumption and, in turn, their rigs’ greenhouse gas emissions, by running low rolling resistance tires on tractors and trailers was strictly voluntary.

That all changed this past January when regulations designed to reduce truck emissions went into effect in California.

The rule, which was mandated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), requires all 2011 model year and newer day cab tractors that pull 53-foot or longer box-type trailers in the Golden State to run on low rolling resistance tires that have been verified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of SmartWay-verified technologies.

It also mandates that 2011 model year and newer trailers operating in California must be either SmartWay-certified or equipped with low rolling resistance tires and retrofitted with SmartWay-approved aerodynamic technologies.

Created in 2004, the SmartWay label identifies products and services that reduce transportation-related emissions. It has become perhaps the most sought-after designation in the commercial truck tire market.

No fewer than eight truck tire manufacturers have placed products on the EPA’s SmartWay list, with more companies submitting products for consideration.

« Previous  |  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  |  Next »

Related Topics: Commercial Tire Dealer, CTD, SmartWay, Truck tires

Recent News

• MTD visits new Nexen plant in Korea
• Class 8 backoff: Backlog falls in April
• ATMC seeks Training Award nominees
• Kyle LeDuc and Toyo Tires, Six wins and counting
• Points for Mahindra at streaming Le Mans
• Find Bosch parts on your iPhone, iPad
• Two Continental tires named a 'Best Buy'
• Retired Cooper chief Fitzgerald passes away
• Dominant Lorenzo takes victory in MotoGP
• Pirelli and F1: cracking the barcode