Tire makers are being asked to pull their weight when it comes to cutting energy use, the Wall Street Journal reports. As much as 20 percent of the energy needed to operate a car is tire-related, according to some industry estimates. Cars with tires that have a lower rolling resistance use less energy.
The EU is expected to propose regulations that would set limits on tire rolling resistance. Other areas of the globe could follow
Western and Japanese tire makers want standards for rolling resistance - as well as labels that would grade tires on energy efficiency - which could give them an edge against tire makers from India and China, which tend to spend less on R&D.
France's Michelin SA has been touting the fuel-saving potential of its "green tires."
