Yokohama Tire Corp. announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is utilizing its commercial truck tire casing to establish a SmartWay verification program for retreaded tires used on Class 8 linehaul trucks. Once a retreaded tire receives EPA certification, fleets using those tires will be compliant with California Air Resources Board regulations for low rolling-resistance tires.
“We are excited that the EPA has designated the RY617 steer and all-position tire for their verification program as the benchmark casing for retread technologies,” says 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. This is an important and necessary initiative by the EPA to incorporate retreading into the SmartWay program. It has been instrumental in helping the trucking industry become more fuel-efficient, and we are very glad to have our casing represent the benchmark.”
EPA sent a letter to media and other tire companies describing the newly-defined test casing as “an American-made Yokohama Super Steel RY617 in size 295/75R22.5. It will be used for all treads with conventional-width tires used in dual configuration.”
