Saving Fuel with Continental Tires: Rolling Resistance Makes the Difference

Hanover, Germany, April 7, 2022. “Black gold” is how oil and its derivatives are often described. And right now gasoline and diesel really do seem like luxury commodities, as the groans from drivers confronting the high prices at filling stations testify. Unsurprisingly, skyrocketing costs are also giving trucking companies and fleet managers sleepless nights. Logistics associations are even warning of a wave of insolvencies; without fuel the transportation industry would literally grind to a halt. So the emphasis is once again on saving fuel and, by extension, on tires. Indeed, tires are one of various factors playing a central role in fuel consumption. Which explains why Continental has long placed the impact of tires on fuel economy at the heart of its research and development work. The company’s endeavors here are aimed at finding solutions which have a sustained impact on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

According to figures from the EU, around a quarter of Europe’s CO₂ emissions in the road traffic and transport sector are caused by heavy commercial vehicles. In order to meet the EU’s climate targets, fleets are being called on to reduce their CO₂ emissions by 30 percent by 2030. And cutting CO₂ means cutting fuel consumption. In these times of historically high fuel prices, finding ways of saving fuel has become even more important. “The rolling resistance of a tire is responsible for as much as 30 percent of a truck’s fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions,” points out Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development Bus and Truck Tires at Continental.

Tire pressure, vehicle configuration, load distribution, mileage, traction and tire performance are all important criteria in determining fuel consumption and therefore CO₂ emissions. However, by far the most important and influential factor is rolling resistance. Here, the task is always to smooth the conflict of interests between low rolling resistance on the one hand and safety-relevant attributes such as grip and handling on the other.

The relationship between lower rolling resistance and reduced fuel consumption is embodied by the ongoing development of the Conti EcoPlus and Conti EcoRegional tire families. An innovative rubber compound makes it all possible. These premium tires help to reduce fleet costs and CO₂ emissions, without compromising on mileage and service life. In mixed regional haulage, in particular, the Eco Regional can offer significant potential for savings, depending on the truck’s usage profile.

VECTO and the EU Emissions Directive are also prominent influencers for the transportation sector when it comes to saving fuel. In order to increase transparency in the tire selection process, Continental has come up with a CO₂ and fuel calculator based on the VECTO simulation tool. This calculator allows fleet operators to work out how much they can reduce their emissions and fuel consumption by with the right selection of tires. “We are delighted to be able to offer our customers another tool – in the form of our new calculator – to help them work in a more sustainable way,” says Enno Straten, Head of Marketing Replacement Tires EMEA at Continental.

The interplay of correct tire choice, tire construction, tire pressure and rolling resistance is critical in determining how much a fleet of vehicles use and how much they can save. The high fuel prices we are seeing at present and growing demands for reductions in CO₂ emissions and increased sustainability are shining the spotlight on the issue of fuel saving – through the lens of economics, the impact on livelihoods, supply chains and, not least, the environment. And Continental is offering solutions which can help overcome these challenges with the input of fleet managers.

Follow this link to the Continental video “Why rolling resistance matters”.