The Commercial Tire Division of Continental Tire the Americas LLC (CTA) has introduced one of the few open shoulder drive tires to be verified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for low rolling resistance: the HDR1 Eco Plus drive tire.
The HDR1 Eco Plus (Heavy Drive Regional) is designed for local pick-up and delivery fleets that require a true open shoulder design for optimal traction, yet need the on-highway fuel efficiency of a low rolling resistance truck tire.
Designed and produced at Continental's plant and research center in Mount Vernon IL, the HDR1 Eco Plus keeps the same open shoulder design and reduced stone retention that fleets came to rely on from the original HDR1 model, introduced in 2009. Continental's truck tire engineers also included a lug angle that resists irregular wear over the extended lifetime of the tire; a high endurance tread design with grooves that reduce stone retention; and advanced fuel-efficient tread compounding.
The compounding advancements allowed the HDR1 Eco Plus to become verified for low rolling resistance by the US EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership, joining a list of tires that can help reduce emissions and fuel consumption for line-haul, Class 8 trucks.
The HDR1 Eco Plus is available through Continental dealers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in load ranges G and H, size 275/80R22.5. For specifications on this product and more information, visit www.continental-truck.com.