Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Fact Sheet

Fuel Efficient Tires

September 2009 For government purchasers Publication No. 09-07-037

Responsible Goal: State fleets to purchase fuel efficient tires. Purchasing Considerations In 2007, the Washington State Legislature Standards required that replacement tires for the state  Air Quality motor vehicle fleet must have the same or Currently, no federal, state or industry  Climate Change better rolling resistance than the original tires. standards exist that establish a minimum level  Energy State Patrol vehicles are exempt. of fuel efficiency for tires. Efficiency

Tires with lower rolling resistance allow Large volume purchasers can require that

vehicles to roll more easily on the road, vendors provide test data on rolling resistance Benefits of which creates better fuel efficiency. in bid specifications. Several test protocols exist which measure the rolling resistance of Purchasing Since the average life of a set of tires is four tires. However, it isn’t easy to understand the  Reduces climate years, significant fuel savings and reductions resulting tire grades, no actual tests are change impacts. in greenhouse gases can result. A one-to-two required, and manufacturers self-certify.  Fleets save on percent change in miles per gallon (MPG) fuel costs. occurs for every 10 percent change in rolling California Assembly Bill 844 required the resistance, according to tests performed by California Energy Commission (CEC) to

the National Renewable Energy Laboratory develop tire energy efficiency standards. The (NREL) and Ecos Consulting. standards must meet the following conditions: How to Buy • Washington State This means that fuel efficient tires can result Be technically and financially feasible. contract #00108 in a two to six percent reduction in fuel use • Not adversely affect tire safety or average tire Tires, tubes & per vehicle, according to the Responsible life. services. Michelin, Purchasing Network. • Not adversely affect state efforts to manage Goodyear & and recycle scrap tires. Bridgestone/ Tires that come with new cars are often fuel- Firestone. efficient. This helps car manufacturers satisfy After lengthy tire tests, the California Energy the federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy Commission staff has recommended use of the According to the (CAFE) standards. ISO Standard 28580 for rolling resistance. master contract, Michelin produces The CEC will also require tire manufacturers LRR passenger and to report data on rolling resistance and energy light truck tires, efficiency of tires purchased by the state. which are comparable across Michelin’s The U.S. Department of Transportation has product line. proposed a consumer information program that would implement a national efficiency rating Michelin also system for replacement tires. See Notice of produces LRR truck Proposed Rulemaking. tires that are comparable to competitors’ truck Credit: Photospin tires. Call the vendor for more details.

To view an electronic copy of this document and others, go to http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/epp/ Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Fact Sheet Fuel Efficient Tires

Environmentally Product Performance End of Life Preferable Purchasing Tire purchases should be based primarily As with any passenger vehicle tires, fuel on performance and safety factors, such as efficient tires should be properly The Department of Ecology offers handling, traction, and resistance to recycled at the end of their life. tools and resources to make hydroplaning. Tires must also perform environmentally preferable well for existing road conditions and the Don’t send tires to the landfill. Tire piles purchasing easier. desired application. can create a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which may carry diseases Find out about environmentally Look for fuel efficient tires that meet these such as the West Nile virus and preferable products, standards and performance and safety criteria. The encephalitis. certifications, law and directives, and more at our website: Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS) is a method for determining Never burn tires. Burning tires release http://www.ecy.wa.gov/progra ratings for tread wear, traction, and high toxins, which can pollute the air, water, ms/swfa/epp/ temperature resistance. and soil. The tire’s ashy byproducts are also contaminants. Burning tires are Contact: The US Department of Transportation, extremely difficult to extinguish. They National Highway Traffic Safety can be a serious safety concern for fire Tina Simcich Administration runs the UTQGS. personnel and for surrounding [email protected] However, UTQGS is a voluntary system communities. and includes minimal auditing of manufacturer’s claims. Please see Waste Tires to learn about waste tire reuse and recycling in Full tread depth tires have lower rolling Washington state. resistance than worn tires. Of course, Resources correct tire air pressure can dramatically Responsible Purchasing Network affect fuel economy. So good fleet Purchasing Guides maintenance is critical for fuel efficiency.

Tires and Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy California Transportation Research Board

Low-Rolling-Resistance Tires Department of Energy (EERE)

California Energy Commission Fuel Efficient Tire Program Laws and Directives Waste Tires in WA State Department of Ecology RCW 43.19.648 In 2007, Washington State clean energy legislation required that, “...when tires on Publicly-owned vehicles, vessels, and vehicles in the state's motor vehicle fleet are construction equipment replaced, they must be replaced with tires that have the same or better rolling resistance as the original tires.” Cars owned by the Washington State Patrol are exempt from this legislation.

To ask about available formats for the visually impaired please call the Waste 2 Resources Program at 360-407-6900. Persons with hearing loss can call 711 for Washington Relay Service. Persons with a speech disability can call 877-833-6341.