Hankook Truck Tyre Gains US Environmental Accreditation

Three of Hankook Tire’s commercial fleet tyres have been certified under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Program. According to a company statement, this means the tyres are more environmentally friendly and have reduced rolling resistance by at least 3 per cent. The three certified products are: the AL07+ steer tyre, the Z35a drive tyre and the TL01 trailer tyre.

“Diminishing the carbon footprint, improving fuel economy and reducing costs are the key areas of focus for the commercial fleet industry currently,” said Brian Sheehey, commercial tyres director, Hankook Tire America Corp. “The SmartWay Program specifically addresses those concerns, providing fleet owners a clear means to reduce costs and help the environment. It’s a win-win, and Hankook is privileged to be a part of the solution with our SmartWay compliancy. This certification coupled with our industry-leading warranties and competitive pricing further enhances the value of our product offering to the 1,000 SmartWay Partners. This is a true validation of Hankook’s innovative technology, product and performance.”

“Hankook consistently invests approximately 5 percent of revenue into technological innovation,” said Sheehey, adding: “We are particularly focused on improving fuel efficiencies and lowering the rolling resistance of current and future products. We definitely plan to get additional Hankook products certified for the SmartWay Program over the next several months.”

Engineers at Hankook’s Akron Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, took the lead on all compliancy testing and product development to help the tire maker secure this achievement.

The EPA launched SmartWay in early 2004 to address the environmental and economic challenges surrounding growth in the freight industry. Through SmartWay, EPA is now working with more than 1,000 businesses to improve both their bottom line and the environment. According to the EPA, SmartWay partners are collectively saving more than 595 million gallons of diesel fuel each year – slashing fuel costs by at least $2.5 billion annually – and eliminating 6.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.