GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The fuel-saving claims behind wide-base single tires have been validated by the US Department of Energy.
The DoE has released a 383-page report that indicates wide-base single tires are 6-10% more fuel efficient than duals on heavy trucks. The report was based on more than 700,000 miles of real-world testing over the course of four years, according to a release by Michelin.
“If fleets and owner/operators needed more proof that wide singles can save fuel costs, look no further,” said David Stafford, chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Research Company (MARC). “This real-world field testing confirms what our engineers and designers have said since we launched the Michelin X One nine years ago – that replacing duals with wide single tires not only reduces rolling resistance and saves energy, but also reduces the amount of CO2 we put into the atmosphere.”
The DoE test compared the Michelin X One single to standard dual tires. The tests revealed a 6% fuel economy improvement overall and as high as 10% with fully-loaded tractor-trailers, according to Michelin.
“Our tests have found wide single tire technology to be more fuel efficient in a variety of real-world conditions,” said Bill Knee, director of vehicle safety research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. “As we continue the national and global discussion of conserving energy, fossil fuels and other natural resources, this technology is a solution that is making a difference today.”