The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) has identified 10 actions to help fleets achieve 10+ mpg in over the highway operations.

One gallon of diesel cost an average of $3.13 in the US last month, an increase of 64 cents compared to April 2020. It has only gotten higher in May. Tire rolling resistance, always top-of-mind with tire R&D experts, always gets more attention from trucking fleets when fuel prices go up.

Three main factors impact the rolling resistance in a tire: tread compounding, tread pattern design and tire structure. Tests show over 50% of the rolling resistance of a tire is generated from the tread and belt package; as such, many research hours are spent to study and improve these components.

The “rolling resistance” of a tire is defined as the physical drag a tire exhibits while in motion (rolling).  This drag is measured as a force. Obviously, the more drag, the more fuel used.

Good news for trucking fleets and owner operators interested in fuel efficiency! The Double Coin RLB450 drive position tire has met the requirements for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay® Technology Program.

The “rolling resistance” of a tire is defined as the physical drag a tire exhibits while in motion (rolling).  This drag is measured as a force. 

The EPA Phase II standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, which will be announced any day now, are expected to build on the first-ever standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (model years 2014 through 2018). Thus, they will apply first to 2019 model-year vehicles. In addition, regulation of trailers is almost a certainty under the rules currently being drafted, according to this insightful article in Fleet Owner magazine.