Continental's EcoPlus HT3 achieves fuel efficiency accolade

ERJ staff report (TP)

Hanover, Germany − Continental announced its EcoPlus HT3 trailer tire is set to take its place on the international commercial vehicle stage and has earned the highest EU label rating A for fuel efficiency.

The Conti EcoPlus HT3 is the vanguard of a completely new truck tire family which Continental will launch in 2014. The first to market in the Generation 3 tire range for goods transport has been developed with a clear focus on “maximum efficiency” on the trailer axle.

The company said: “Significant savings in fuel consumption is one of the most important factors for successfully navigating today’s competitive market. With trailer tires contributing around 60 percent of the overall rolling resistance, the optimal tire on the trailer plays a crucial role and contributes to the efficiency of the whole vehicle.”

For the Conti EcoPlus HT3, Continental developed a new, “especially fuel-efficient” tread design, which provides a low void contact area with four longitudinal grooves and the Fuel Saving Edge. The rolling resistance of the trailer tires was reduced, for the size 385/55 R 22.5, by over 25 percent compared to its predecessor. This gave the tire the highest EU label rating A for fuel efficiency.

Continental also explained more about the technical details: “The pyramid-shaped triangular bars in the base of the tread grooves stabilise the new tire against flexing in the tread. Closed ribs providing a wide contact area and a circumferential, continuous shoulder guarantee optimal straight line stability and prevent distortion especially for demanding manoeuvering tasks typical for trailers.

“The tread compound is optimised for rolling resistance in a two-layer construction which provides first-class performance. The cap compound of the tread ensures optimal contact with the road surface for long service life, while the special compound of the tread base on the four-layer triangular belt casing reduces the heat generation in the crown for maximum reduction in rolling resistance.”

The tire has a rolling noise of 69 dB(A), a retreadable and regroovable premium casing with steel cord chafer enhanced beads, and the patented AirKeep inner liner to prevent gradual loss of inflation pressure.

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Press release from Continental