AKRON, OHIO – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified its commercial tires featuring Fuel Max Technology for use on SmartWay-eligible trucks, according to Modern Tire Dealer magazine. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a collaboration between freight shippers, carriers, and logistics companies to voluntarily improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from freight transport.

Goodyear tires featuring Fuel Max Technology include the Unisteel G395 LHS steer tire, Unisteel G305 LHD drive tire, and Unisteel G316 LHT trail tire in standard (11R22.5) and low-profile (295/75R22.5 and 285/75R24.5) sizes. Goodyear also is offering UniCircle and precure retreading with Fuel Max Technology.

The fuel-efficient line-haul tires deliver up to four percent improved truck fuel economy, and when used with other SmartWay-qualified components, each truck can produce savings of up to 4,000 gallons per year, or more than $11,000 annually, according to Goodyear and EPA officials. By 2012, SmartWay aims to save between 3.3 and 6.6 billion gallons of diesel and eliminate between 33 and 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrous oxide emissions per year.

While Goodyear officials are citing up to a four-percent hike in fuel economy with the new tires, actual Society of Automotive Engineers lab test results showed an eight-percent improvement in fuel economy compared with standard Goodyear over-the-road tires. The difference reflects adjustments for real-world variations, including vehicle speed, idling time, varying road grades, and different driving styles, according to Modern Tire Dealer.

EPA has announced that 2007 models of heavy trucks can earn certification from the SmartWay program. SmartWay-approved equipment, like aerodynamic front bumpers and side mirrors, can cut wind resistance and reduce fuel consumption by 10-20 percent. Fuel-efficient tractor-trailer rigs will now carry their own label: the SmartWay logo.