Continental Tire North America Inc. has joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership as a shipper partner, committing to support common goals reducing environmental impacts for ground freight transportation. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a collaboration between EPA and the freight industry to increase energy efficiency while reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.
By 2012, the SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to save between 3.3 and 6.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel per year, the equivalent to taking about 12 million cars off the road. As a shipper partner, Continental Tire has pledged to increase the amount of freight shipped with SmartWay carriers each year to reach a 95 percent compliant goal within three years.
“Joining the SmartWay Partnership makes good business sense for Continental Tire,” says Dominique Lacroix, director of supply chain operations for the Charlotte, N.C.-based company. “Our partnership with our carriers encompasses the reduction of air pollution and improving fuel efficiency, which translates to fewer environmental impacts and cost savings.”
Complementing these initiatives is Continental Tire’s goal and pledge to pursue all available technology to further improve the fuel efficiency and mileage of its tire products to reduce the cost of ownership for the end user. To this end, the Continental HSL, HDL Eco Plus and HTL products were recognized by EPA for meeting the SmartWay tractor-trailer equipment specifications last July.
