Green tyres can reduce fuel consumption by seven per cent, according to research

“Green tyres” can reduce the fuel consumption of vehicles by as much as seven percent in urban traffic, according to new research.

These high-performance tyres – graded “C” or above for fuel efficiency on the EU tyre label – also significantly reduce the CO2 emissions of vehicles compared to standard tyres, according to the results of the study conducted by rubber supplier Lanxess and German energy provider RheinEnergie. 

For example, based on the test results, a fleet of 650 cars or vans of up to 3.5 metric tons currently running on tyres with a rolling resistance rating of F on the EU label could save almost £32,500 a year in fuel costs just by switching to B-rated tyres – assuming a distance of 8,700 miles per vehicle and a diesel price of £0.98/ litre. The CO2 reductions would amount to almost 87 metric tons per year. 

Following the success of the tyre test, RheinEnergie, an energy service provider and supplier, decided to switch its vehicle fleet over to “green tyres”. The first step will be to refit around 130 vehicles as part of the usual tyre replacement schedule resulting from wear. Others are to follow once “green tyres” are also available in different sizes.

The tyre test carried out by Lanxess and RheinEnergie was monitored and verified by TÜV Rheinland to independently validate the results.

Over a six-month period from May to November in 2014, the fuel consumption of six identical RheinEnergie utility vehicles (Ford Transit Connects) was examined under real conditions. The performance for both “green tyres” and standard tyres was compared to establish the potential savings. Weighing approximately two metric tons, the vehicles covered similar areas in the City of Cologne and the surrounding area during the test period. Driver, loaded weight and refuelling procedures were identical for the vehicles. Over the length of the trial, all six vehicles covered a total distance of approximately 23,000 miles.

To achieve valid results, the half-yearly test was conducted in two phases. During the first three months, the three vehicles in group 1 were fitted with “green tyres” (rolling resistance class B on the EU tyre label), while the other three, in group 2, had standard tyres (rolling resistance class F on the EU tyre label). This was reversed in the second phase. The results showed that the maximum fuel saving amounted to 6.96 percent and CO2 emissions dropped by up to 155 kilograms per 6,200 miles.