Energy-efficient tires: what to know, and how they work

Article content

Today’s shopper is more eco-savvy than ever, and products that offer efficiency and energy-savings are attracting plenty of attention.

As automakers shift to electrification and design vehicles around maximum energy efficiency, tires play heavily into the equation. Energy-efficient tires have been around for a few years, and today’s tire manufacturers are offering more innovative solutions across more types of tires than ever.

Article content

In 2021, the design, compounds, and technologies that marry the two continue to evolve, giving shoppers more choices and value. Energy-efficient tires are increasingly common on new cars, and plenty of options are available for shoppers driving older vehicles, too.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Energy-efficient tires: what to know, and how they work Back to video

Why Consider an Energy Efficient Tire?

According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), drivers can expect a 2-4 per cent improvement in fuel economy when switching to an energy-efficient tire. The average Canadian household spends $2,600 on fuel per year, and this represents a savings of over $100 per year — hundreds of dollars over the lifespan of a set of tires.

Drivers may experience a longer lifespan from their energy-efficient tires, and shoppers looking for an environmentally-friendly product will find many energy-saving technologies in not only the tires themselves, but also in their manufacturing processes. 

Article content

Remember — proper maintenance helps keep your car running as efficiently as possible, and tires are just the beginning. A simple tune-up and air filter change can have a positive impact on fuel economy in any car.

Popular Energy Efficient Tires

Canadians have numerous options in energy-efficient tires that are engineered to save them money while helping reduce their carbon footprint. Energy-efficient tire tech is rolling out to specialized applications as well, including tires for heavy trucks, performance vehicles, and more.

Here are some popular energy-efficient tires in 2021:

Michelin Energy Saver A/S

Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology

Bridgestone Ecopia

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max

Article content

Michelin Defender

Avid Ascend

Rating Energy-Efficient Tires

Experts at Hankook tell me there are currently no rolling resistance standards in Canada which define fuel-efficient tires. Instead, tire manufacturers are launching A Level tires, with a Rolling Resistance Coefficient (RRc) lower than 6.5 to be considered fuel-efficient. 

Tire shoppers will also see the LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) designation on some tires, which designates enhanced energy-efficiency.

A Rolling Resistance Balancing Act

According to the R&D Team at Hankook Tire, designing fuel-efficient tires requires striking a balance between braking force (especially on wet surfaces) and rolling resistance. Manipulating the stiffness of the tire, and enhancing the rubber compound with traction-enhancing materials like silica, are some of the ways that tire engineers work to find the ideal balance between grip, efficiency, rolling resistance, and tread life.

Article content

A fuel-efficient tire needs less force between the road and tire surface, which results in less rolling resistance, and therefore, reduced CO2 emissions from the vehicle.

In simple terms? A fuel-efficient tire is designed to roll more easily down the road, while requiring less energy from the vehicle’s engine.

Rolling Resistance vs Traction and Grip

Rolling resistance is not the same as traction, or grip. 

Rolling resistance refers to the energy lost in the tire because of its flexible, rubber design. It’s determined partly by the actual construction of the tire, and how stiff it is. Conversely, grip or traction is determined by the tread design and rubber compound. The gist? A tire with less rolling resistance does not mean a tire with less grip or traction.

Article content

To illustrate, imagine the soles of your shoes are made of extremely soft rubber, with the consistency of a gummy-bear. These squishy soles absorb a lot of energy, making it more difficult and less energy-efficient for you to walk.  On the other hand, a hard rubber sole may absorb less energy and make for more energy-efficient walking, though it might be uncomfortable. Just like with the rolling resistance of a tire, the stiffness of the rubber beneath your shoes has an impact on how much energy you need to move around. 

Some energy-efficient tires use special construction or tread patterning to help tires resist flexing, making them stiffer and more durable. The caveat is that stiffer tires tend to offer less grip — that’s why racing tires are so soft.  To overcome the compromise in energy-efficient tires, special rubber compounds and additives boost traction to create a that’s both efficiently stiff and long lasting, but also, that delivers compromise-free traction.

Article content

Current Design Focus and The Future of Tires

Hankook R&D says the tire industry is focused keenly on rolling resistance and treadwear in the design of energy-efficient tires. The use of lower rolling resistance compounds that help your vehicle maintain its driving speed and energy to use less fuel is a key area of focus in energy-efficient tire design. Other ongoing optimizations in energy-efficient tire design centre around tire weight and optimization of the tire’s structure to minimize energy loss.

With demand for energy-efficient vehicles and EV’s growing, the manufacturer says the future of tire manufacturing is creating tires for EV’s– to achieve the ultimate in fuel efficiency. Numerous global automakers are equipping energy-efficient tires as standard equipment, and Hankook supplies low-rolling resistance tires for models like the Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Jetta, and more.

Article content

Specialized Applications

High-efficiency tires are available for numerous specialized applications. For instance, more than 40 per cent of heavy-duty truck tires sold in Canada are classified as Low Rolling Resistance (LRR), and a high-performing EV tire from Hankook is fitted as factory equipment to the new Audi e-tron GT electric sports car. 

The high-performing Polestar 2 EV uses a high-efficiency Michelin tire, and as electric 4×4 models like the F-150 Lightning and Hummer EV arrive soon, more energy-efficient all-terrain tire options will continue to hit the market.

Save Fuel With Any Tire

Proper inflation pressure along with regular inspections and rotations help ensure optimal tire life for all tires, as well as more uniform wear. This, in turn, helps ensure your tires deliver the fuel efficiency they were designed for, more consistently, and throughout the full life of the tire.