LAVAL, Que. – Tire maker Michelin is lobbying for legal changes in Canada that would open the market for its new X-One line.

“At this point, because of provincial legislation, the X-One can only be run on Quebec and Ontario roads,” says Ralph Beaveridge, marketing manager for Michelin Truck Tire Canada.

He says the company is working with local governments “to ensure the X-One becomes an alternative available to all truckers across the country.”

Michelin argues that the new tire, unveiled in Dallas last November, offers tremendous cost savings, since each X-One unit takes the place of a set of duals. Going from four wheels to two per axle reduces weight, lowers rolling resistance and improves fuel economy, it says.

Fewer wheels also mean fewer tires to mount, dismount, inspect and rotate – resulting in less vehicle downtime, according to Michelin. n