Gov’t test confirms enviro benefits of single-wide rubber
GREENVILLE, S.C. — It isn’t just boasting anymore. Single wide-based truck tires are as much as 10 percent more fuel efficient than a set of duals, confirms the U.S. Dept. of Energy.
The 383-page report made available last week by the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that single wide tires saved fuel by 6 percent overall and 10 percent on fully-loaded tractor-trailers.
More than 700,000 real-world miles were driven by six instrumented tractors and 10 trailers over the course of the four-year test, conducted with Michelin X One single wide tires.
"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," said David Stafford, chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Research Company, in a press release.
Primary data collected during the tests includes instantaneous fuel consumption, speed, acceleration, gear, location, time of day and grade. A total of 60 channels of data at 5Hz for one year were collected and analyzed.
help liberalize rules for single tires in Canada
Half of the trailers were outfitted with Michelin X One wide single tires, two with standard dual tires, and three with dual retread tires.
Single wide tires face regulatory obstacles in Canada, however.
Clinging to outdated perceptions of single tires, most provinces don’t allow weight parity between singles and duals.
Things are changing, however. Quebec and Ontario permit full uniformity at 9,000 kg per axle. Other provinces, such B.C., Manitoba and New Brunswick are inching closer, allowing 7,700 kg per axle, which makes spec’ing single tires easier for U.S. runs.
Nova Scotia, Alberta and Saskatchewan are still considering similar allowances.
Click here for an audio feature detailing everything you need to know about wide-based single tires.
— (A full copy of the report can be obtained by emailing Bill Knee at kneehe@ornl.gov).
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