What are ecological tires?

Eco performance tires play an important role in finding the balance between vehicle performance and environmentally friendly design. Increasingly, the modern automotive industry is striving to incorporate green and fuel efficient elements into vehicles. This often comes in the form of manufacturing processes, materials and engine technologies, but tires can make a big difference in fuel efficiency and emission reductions.

Tires designed to be ‘eco’ reduce fuel consumption by providing low rolling resistance. This means that there is less friction between the tire and the road surface. Because reduced rolling resistance means the tire’s grip is also reduced, a special compound must be added to the tire to create a more effective tread; otherwise the car would risk skidding and braking less efficiently. In recent times, this combination was impossible, so the eco-performance tire is a relatively new development.

Silica was introduced into tire compounds to provide the necessary grip for low rolling resistance tires. The design, pattern and tread contour of the tires have also been modified to ensure optimum grip on both dry and wet roads. The structure is slightly stiffer and the tread grooves are optimized with narrower sipes, reducing tread deformation over time, minimizing energy loss and rolling resistance. Low rolling resistance gives better fuel economy, which saves you money, reduces emissions, and also gives your car a smoother ride.

Green tires also absorb energy to improve your car’s fuel efficiency, even at high speeds, on wet roads and during braking and manoeuvring, without losing grip. Normal tires heat up quite quickly when in use, which consumes additional energy: Eco tires take longer to heat up, which reduces energy consumption and in turn increases the efficiency of the powertrain. One of the negative aspects of green tires is related to this, since the part of the rubber that makes contact with the road tends to heat up quickly during braking, which can shorten stopping distances.

Green tires are generally not suitable for performance tires as they do not provide the proper levels of grip and handling that these powerful vehicles require. However, new ranges of eco performance tires are being created to enable high performance cars to reap the benefits of increased fuel efficiency, lower fuel consumption, minimized energy loss and low rolling resistance. Combined with other green attributes, modern cars equipped with green tires can make a significant difference to your carbon emissions and your wallet.