The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is utilizing a commercial truck tire casing by Yokohama Tire Corp. to establish a SmartWay verification program for retreaded tires used on Class 8 linehaul vehicles. The EPA is describing the newly defined test casing as “an American-made Yokohama Super Steel RY617 in size 295/75R22.5 that will be used for all treads with conventional-width tires used in dual configuration.”
The EPA’s announcement is part of an initiative to incorporate retreading into the SmartWay program. Once a retreaded tire receives EPA certification, fleets using those tires also will be compliant with California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations for low rolling resistance tires.
“We are excited that the EPA has designated the RY617 steer and all-position tire as the benchmark casing for retread technologies,” said Rick Phillips, Yokohama director of commercial sales. “That means all retread solutions will be measured against a target number for rolling resistance on our casing. We are very glad to have our casing represent the benchmark.”