Orange Peel Oil Used in New Eco-Friendly Tires
Yokohama Tires Reduce Petroleum Content and Lower Rolling Resistance
Jul 13, 2009
Yokohama claims that their new environmentally friendly Eco DNA tires save at the gas pump as the lower rolling resistance increases fuel efficiency. But low rolling resistance can equal longer braking distance creating safety questions. And car owners are not required to replace low rolling resistance tires with the same, so overall fuel economy standards may be compromised.
Orange Oil From Peels in Super NanoPower Rubber Tires
Yokohama has pioneered the use of citrus peel oil in combination with natural rubber to reduce the quantity of petroleum products used in tire manufacturing. Originally developed by the racing tire division to improve grip, the Super NanoPower Rubber (SNR) technology has been further expanded for use in manufacturing passenger vehicle tires.
The orange oil is considered a sustainable resource as much of it comes from citrus juice production where the peels are discarded. Combining the orange oil with natural rubber has allowed Yokohama to reduce petroleum product content in the tires. The Super NanoPower Rubber tires are eighty percent non-petroleum based and are more flexible. This increases fuel efficiency by reducing friction and, as a result, reducing energy loss from heat.
Lower Rolling Resistance Increases Fuel Economy But May Increase Safety Risk
Yokohama is not the only company to produce low rolling resistance tires and the Rubber Manufacturers Association has expressed concern that there is no objective way to compare low rolling resistance tires. In the European Union, there is a proposal to require an environmental label showing rolling resistance levels and braking efficiency.
Concerns are based on the fact that many tires with low rolling resistance brake less efficiently on wet roads, increasing braking distance and the risk of accidents.. Ensuring that consumers are aware of both rolling resistance levels and braking effectiveness of the various brands of tires is being strongly emphasized in the European Union where a Road Safety Charter is attempting to reduce road accident deaths to 25,000 by 2010.
Low Rolling Resistance Tires Help Car Makers Meet Fuel Economy Standards
Low rolling resistance tires are being used by auto makers to help meet fuel economy standards but car owners are not required to purchase the same type of tires when they need replacing. If car owners elect to purchase tires with higher rolling resistance, the automobile’s fuel economy is reduced.
In the case of the new Yokohama dB Super E-spec tires, the extremely low petroleum product level in the tires should help to encourage environmentally concerned individuals to continue to purchase the appropriate tires for their cars.
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