Yokohama Tire Corp. has been named a partner in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay program. SmartWay, an EPA collaboration with the freight industry, is designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.
Yokohama’s new partnership status is in the “shippers” category, which means that the company moves more than half of its products on SmartWay-certified transport carriers.
This is the second SmartWay recognition Yokohama has earned this year; in January the Fullerton, Calif.-based firm had three of its commercial truck tires named “verified low rolling resistance tires,” thus paving the way for their use on SmartWay-certified trucks.
According to the EPA, Yokohama’s RY617 steer tire, 703ZL drive tire and RY587MC2 trailer tire met the SmartWay program’s verified low rolling resistance criteria. Low rolling resistance tires run cooler, helping reduce fuel consumption, which in turn cuts costs and benefits the environment.
“Being named a partner in the EPA SmartWay program reinforces our corporate pledge to produce technologically-advanced tires that help save fuel and protect the environment,” says Takao Oishi, Yokohama’s president and CEO. “It is a great honor to be recognized by the EPA for our environmental initiatives and we will continue to support the SmartWay program in every possible way.”
Yokohama’s freight efforts will contribute to the EPA’s goal of eliminating 33 to 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012, the agency reports. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, and nitrogen oxide is an air pollutant that contributes to smog.
Launched in 2004, the SmartWay program identifies products and services that reduce transportation-related emissions, resulting in significant, measurable air quality and/or greenhouse gas improvements while maintaining or improving current levels of other emissions and/or pollutants.
The SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to achieve fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of fuel per year. It brings together major freight shippers, trucking companies, railroads, logistics companies and trade/professional associations “to pursue mutually beneficial efficiencies.” The sought-after results are emissions reductions and other environmental improvements, as well as cost savings to the companies. SmartWay currently has more than 1,850 members.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/smartway and www.yokohamatire.com.
