Leading the SmartWay challenge, the Commercial Tire Division of Continental Tire the Americas, LLC has introduced the HDR1 Eco Plus,

one of the few open shoulder drive tires to be verified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for low rolling resistance.

The HDR1 Eco Plus (Heavy Drive Regional) will appeal to pickup and delivery fleets requiring a true open shoulder design for optimal traction, yet need the on-highway fuel efficiency of a low rolling resistance truck tire, predictes Clif Armstrong, CTA's director of marketing for commercial vehicle tires.

"We're proud to offer this unique drive tire that meets the strict requirements of the U.S. EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership," Armstrong said. "Continental is committed to bringing innovative solutions to trucking fleets throughout the Americas, and this tire is no exception. With its advanced fuel-efficient compounding, regional fleets will find that this tire lowers their driving costs, mile after mile, and has the traction features they want."

HDR1 Eco Plus keeps the same open shoulder design and reduced stone retention as the original HDR1 model, introduced in 2009. The new tire also includes an innovative lug angle that will resist irregular wear over the life of the tire; a high endurance tread design with grooves that reduce stone retention; and advanced fuel-efficient tread compounding, Continental claims.

Roger Stansbie, Continental's director of commercial vehicle tire technology for the Americas, credits compounding advancements for the HDR1 Eco Plus's SmartWay verification.

"Our engineers have balanced the major needs of the on-highway regional fleet -- traction, durability and fuel economy," Stansbie said. "While the HDR1 Eco Plus still offers the open shoulder and superior removal miles in the drive tire position, we've now upped the ante with a 19 percent improvement in rolling resistance over our original product."

While many manufacturers are offering SmartWay-verified drive tires with a partially open shoulder -- with tie bars between the grooves -- the HDR1 Eco Plus remains a true open shoulder for the tire's entire lifetime, Stansbie says.

The HDR1 Eco Plus is now available through Continental dealers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in load ranges G and H, size 275/80R22.5.

More info: Continental Truck Tires.