The Commercial Tire Division of Continental Tire the Americas (CTA) said it has introduced one of the few open shoulder drive tires to be verified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for low rolling resistance, the HDR1 Eco Plus.
The HDR1 Eco Plus (Heavy Drive Regional) will become the drive tire of choice for local pickup and delivery fleets that require a true open shoulder design for optimal traction, yet need the on-highway fuel efficiency of a low rolling resistance truck tire, said Clif Armstrong, CTA’s director of marketing for commercial vehicle tires.
“We’re proud to offer this unique drive tire that meets the strict requirements of the U.S. EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership,” Armstrong said. “Continental is committed to bringing innovative solutions to trucking fleets throughout the Americas, and this tire is no exception. With its advanced fuel-efficient compounding, regional fleets will find that this tire lowers their driving costs, mile after mile, and has the traction features they want.”
The HDR1 Eco Plus keeps the same open shoulder design and reduced stone retention as the original HDR1 model, introduced in 2009. Continental’s truck tire engineers also included a lug angle that resists irregular wear over the extended lifetime of the tire; a high endurance tread design with grooves that reduce stone retention; and advanced fuel-efficient tread compounding, according to the company.
“Our engineers have balanced the major needs of the on-highway regional fleet – traction, durability and fuel economy,” said Roger Stansbie, Continental’s director of commercial vehicle tire technology for the Americas. “While the HDR1 Eco Plus still offers the open shoulder and superior removal miles in the drive tire position, we’ve now upped the ante with a 19% improvement in rolling resistance over our original product.”
The HDR1 Eco Plus is now available through Continental dealers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in load ranges G and H, size 275/80R22.5.
