SmartWay Transport | EPA420F09-041 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov

Low Rolling Resistance Tires

A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies

Energy

and 

Fuel Savings

Gallons Saved 

= 

500 gallons

Reduction in Fuel 

Consumption 

= 

3 %

New MPG

= 

6.19 mpg

Fuel Cost Savings

= 

$1,900 

CO2 Savings 

= 

5.08 Metric tons

1 Fleet owners should 

consider purchasing 

tractors and trailers 

with single wide and 

energy efficient dual 

tires on their next new 

truck purchases.

2 Truck Fleets with non-tandem axle combination trucks 

should check “inch-width” 

laws in their states because 

wide-base tires may not comply. The new generation of 

wide-base tires has a section 

width of up to 17.5 inches, so 

these tires comply with pavement weight laws in all 50 

states, for a typical tandem 

axle combination truck.

3 Single wide tire and wheel 

assemblies as a new fitment 

are less expensive than dual 

tire assemblies and provide 

immediate fuel economy 

savings. For more information, 

talk to your tire and truck 

dealers or contact the American 

Trucking Associations’ 

Technology and Maintenance 

Council (www.trucking.org).

Next Steps

.

Specifying single wide or low rolling resistance dual tires on a new combination 

truck could save $1,900 in fuel costs, and cut almost 5 metric tons of greenhouse 

gas emissions per year. Fuel savings of 3% or higher begin immediately.

What is the challenge?

Tire rolling resistance accounts for nearly 13% of combination truck energy use. Most combination trucks have non low rolling resistance dual tire assemblies on the drive and trailer axles, with two sets of wheels and tires at each end of an axle. This configuration increases rolling resistance compared to single wide tires or low rolling resistance dual tires and wheels.

What is the solution?

A variety of tire options can improve truck fuel efficiency. One promising strategy is to use 

low rolling resistance tires either single wide or energy efficient dual tires. A single wide tire 

and wheel is lighter than two standard tires and wheels. Total weight savings for a typical 

combination truck using single wide-base tires on its drive and trailer axles ranges from 800

to 1,000 pounds. The weight savings would reduce fuel consumption, or increase cargo 

capacity for trucks that are weight-limited. Single wide tires have lower rolling resistance and

aerodynamic drag, and generate slightly less pass-by noise than do, dual tires. Another benefit to using single wide-base tires is fewer tires need to be replaced. There are three types of 

wheels steel, low weight steel, and aluminum, with decreasing weigh respectively. The less 

weight the rim holds the better fuel economy the truck will get.

Single wide tires may offer other benefits in combination truck stability. Single wide tires can 

improve the stability of tank trailers by allowing the tank to be mounted lower. 

Materials used to reduce tire rolling resistance could decrease tire tread life slightly. However, in a test of 15 fleets driving 57 million miles using its latest wide-base tire models, one 

manufacturer reported that the tires wear at a rate comparable to conventional tires.
Low Rolling Resistance Tires

SmartWay Transport | EPA420F09-041 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov

Savings and Benefits 

Recent tests of low rolling resistance tires indicate a potential fuel economy improvement of 2 to 5 percent compared

to conventional dual tires. By using low rolling resistance tires, a combination long-haul truck could save over 500 gallons of fuel per year and cut emissions of carbon dioxide (the most common greenhouse gas) by more than 5 metric

tons annually. Most importantly, these environmental benefits can often be achieved while cutting costs.

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