Fuel efficient tyres

Fuel efficient tyres

Choosing tyres which grip well but are also fuel efficient can save you money and also reduce carbon emissions, says Consumer NZ.

Consumer has recently started testing for "rolling resistance" of tyres. Lower rolling resistance means less fuel is used. A Honda Jazz car with low rolling resistance tyres used 5 percent less fuel than the same car fitted with higher rolling resistance tyres, Consumer NZ said.

Consumer NZ supports an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) campaign launched today to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of using fuel efficient tyres. Currently they only make up six percent of sales and the Authority would like to get that up to 12 percent within two years.

Earlier this year Consumer NZ published its findings on rolling resistance tyres. For the Honda Jazz car savings amounted to about $90 a year and a reduction in carbon emissions of about 90kg. The Authority says over the lifetime of four tyres (average three years), vehicle owners will save $150 in fuel (over and above the initial cost of the tyres). These tyres are also safe.

More information on the Consumer NZ website.

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