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Bridgestone launches low-rolling-resistance Ecopia truck tyres
09/24/2010 
Applying new eco-friendly compound technologies to truck tyres for the first time in Europe, Bridgestone has introduced a range of Ecopia truck tyres.
Ecopia truck tyres run with lower rolling resistance than Bridgestone’s standard patterns, thereby reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The added value for operators is that this has been achieved without sacrificing Bridgestone’s high performance levels of durability, irregular wear and wet safety.
The line-up, which was unveiled at the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, consists of steer tyres R249 Ecopia and R249 EVO Ecopia, with higher load capacity, drive tyres M749 Ecopia and Greatec M709 Ecopia, and the trailer tyre R109 Ecopia.
M749 Ecopia and R109 Ecopia patterns are also available as pre-cured retreads designed to provide similar mileage and rolling resistance performance as new Ecopia tyres when a Bridgestone Ecopia casing is used.
The core technology applied is Bridgestone’s new cap and sidewall compound which lowers the rolling resistance coefficient. The R249 Ecopia steer tyre also features Bridgestone’s proprietary Nano-Pro Tech™ compound, which lowers the rolling resistance coefficient by reducing energy loss in the top compound during rotation.
These Ecopia truck tyres will be most beneficial to advanced, fuel-conscious fleets with a high percentage of highway operations. Backed up by cost-saving tyre maintenance services provided by the Truck Point and Bandag dealer networks across Europe, Bridgestone’s fuel-efficient and long-lasting Ecopia truck tyres and retreads can significantly reduce a fleet’s operating costs and impact on the environment.
Bridgestone tests have shown that Ecopia tyres on a standard tractor trailer combination deliver an average of 12% improved rolling resistance compared to the previous pattern line-up at full tread depth.
Ecopia truck tyres and retreads are available across Europe from September 2010. Their introduction is supported by a marketing programme explaining how the Ecopia product and service package can help fleet operators “get a better grip on ecology and costs”. A dedicated Ecopia website (www.Ecopia.eu) enables operators to access a special module entitled “Your ecological tyre print” which calculates the environmental impact of their fleet and invites them to obtain details on how to improve it.
For the Media, high resolution video footage and stills of Bridgestone Press conference and booth at IAA Motorshow can be downloaded on www.thenewsmarket.com and follow the login guidelines.
