Sustainability

Driving Toward a Green Future

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Emissions. Climate. Efficiency.

Tires play a vital role in vehicle safety and performance, as they are the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road.

To keep our world moving, we must take action now and invest in sustainable change. This is not only necessary to remain competitive in the future, but above all to be able to live on a healthier planet. Reducing fuel consumption and cutting CO₂ emissions are therefore essential. In line with the Paris Agreement, the first regulations governing CO₂ emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles have been introduced. This legislation requires that the average CO₂ emissions of new heavy-duty vehicles be reduced by 15% by 2025 and by 30% by 2030 compared to emissions in 2019/2020. CO₂ emissions are directly related to fuel consumption.

The three main factors influencing this consumption are the vehicle’s engine, aerodynamic drag, and the rolling resistance of the tires. The EU has implemented strict tire regulations to protect drivers, passengers, and the environment. These rules focus on key aspects such as tire construction and materials, which ensure durability and resilience under various conditions. They also promote the transition to more sustainable products and a circular economy. In addition, performance standards are established, including requirements for wet grip, noise emissions, rolling resistance, and tire wear. Tires must be approved following type approval and compliance testing to ensure they meet safety standards before being placed on the market.

The EU Tire Label displays three key performance indicators:

01 The EU Tire Label

The tire label evaluates tires based on efficiency, safety, and environmental protection, covering performance in fuel efficiency, wet grip, and rolling noise. The label has seven categories ranging from A (best performance) to G (worst performance), and encourages the use of fuel-efficient, safe, and quiet tires to improve safety and protect the environment.

02 Rolling Resistance/Fuel Efficiency

The rolling resistance of trucks has a direct impact on fuel consumption, which is important from both an economic and environmental perspective. The difference between an A and a B rating can result in fuel savings of 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers, which lowers operating costs and reduces the CO₂ footprint—both of which are essential for the sustainability of the transportation sector.

03 Wet Grip/Braking Performance

Traction on wet roads is essential for truck safety, as it shortens the braking distance on wet roads. An improvement of one class can reduce the braking distance during an emergency stop from 80 km/h by 5 to 10 meters, which can be lifesaving in emergency situations. This underscores the importance of good traction in the transportation sector.

04 External rolling noise/Noise emissions

The rolling noise from truck tires contributes to traffic noise, and the label indicates the noise level in decibels, divided into three classes. Tires with three sound waves do not meet noise regulations, while tires with one sound wave are more than 3 dB below the limit, which significantly contributes to reducing noise pollution in the transportation sector.

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From Field to Road

The EU is heavily dependent on imports of natural rubber, primarily from Indonesia, Thailand, Ivory Coast, and Malaysia, which together account for 85% of EU imports.

The natural rubber supply chain is complex and fragmented, involving small farmers, traders, processors, and manufacturers. In this dynamic process, rubber latex is harvested, processed, and transported through multiple layers of the supply chain every day before it reaches tire and rubber product manufacturers.

The storage and transport of natural rubber require extensive logistics, with a large portion of the rubber sourced from processors within a radius of 150 to 200 km. When stored properly, rubber can have a long shelf life. However, the “first-in, first-out” principle is not always followed, resulting in the rubber often being transported over long distances, which affects efficiency and costs in the tire industry and transportation sector.

You need to take into account service life, budget, regulations and laws, and fuel consumption

Peter Mijnheer

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Impact on Fuel Consumption

The choice of tires has a major impact on your truck’s fuel consumption. Tires with low rolling resistance, such as those with an A-class rating, feature advanced tread patterns and rubber compounds in the sidewalls that reduce rolling resistance and friction. Although tires in the C and D categories may have a longer service life, the fuel savings from Class A tires can more than offset the costs of frequent tire replacements, especially for trucks that travel long distances.

Make sure your tires are always inflated to the correct pressure. Underinflation increases rolling resistance, leading to higher fuel consumption and more CO2 emissions. However, too high a pressure is also undesirable, as it reduces traction, lowers ride comfort, and accelerates tire wear, which increases the risk of a blowout.

Laws and Regulations

When temperatures drop, it is crucial for the transportation sector to switch to winter tires —both for the safety of your drivers and for the efficiency of your fleet. Before making this switch, however, you must carefully consider the specific driving needs of your vehicles and the requirements that apply to your entire fleet.

Tires with the M+S (Mud+Snow) marking are designed with a tread pattern that offers better performance than standard tires in snowy conditions. Please note that the M+S label is not tied to a standardized testing procedure. Tires bearing the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol offer legally certified winter performance. These tires must pass a test on snow-covered roads and provide at least 25% better traction than a standard reference tire.

For transportation companies driving throughout Europe, it is essential to be well prepared. The legal requirements for winter tires and snow chains vary greatly from one European country to another.

EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR)

The EUDR aims to prevent transport services and products that have contributed to deforestation (after December 2020) or whose implementation does not comply with the national legislation of the country of origin from entering the EU market.

Tire Lifespan

The expected service life of a tire depends heavily on the type of surface on which the tire is used and whether the truck operates locally or travels long distances. In addition, insufficient tire pressure has a negative impact on both mileage and fuel consumption. The ballast—that is, the load being transported—also creates additional resistance and thus causes greater wear on truck tires. Regrooving tires in a timely manner can extend the service life of the tread.

Given all these factors, it is essential to consider the specified service life when purchasing tires, so that the right choice is made for the truck’s specific operating conditions.