Bridgestone Americas has launched the R284 Ecopia tire, a SmartWay-verified steer tire designed for improved fuel economy and enhanced treadwear.

Designed for better performance in long-haul and regional service, the Bridgestone R284 Ecopia tire features a tread compound that was designed for long wear life. A NanoPro-Tech polymer technology gives the R284 Ecopia tire a 5% rolling resistance improvement compared to the Ecopia R283A steer tire, according to Bridgestone.

“Bridgestone launched the R284 Ecopia tire to provide our customers with enhanced solutions to maximize fuel efficiency and lower the total cost of tire ownership,” said Kyle Chen, brand manager, truck and bus radial tires, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). “The R284 Ecopia tire will help make mobility more efficient by continuing to drive savings for fleets without compromising on quality or performance.”

The Bridgestone R284 Ecopia tire features several design innovations to improve performance. An IntelliShape sidewall is designed with a slim bead to reduce tire weight and minimize rolling resistance. In addition, the proprietary Fuel Saver Sidewall compound works with the NanoPro-Tech polymer technology to reduce energy loss, ultimately improving fuel economy.

Other key features of the Bridgestone R284 Ecopia tire are designed specifically to address wear life. An optimized tread depth and width help to maximize tread volume while Defense Side Grooves within the tread pattern help to minimize shoulder wear for long original life. Equalizer Ribs are also incorporated into the tread to absorb irregular wear and promote higher removal mileage.

Fleets looking to further capitalize on the fuel efficiency benefits of Bridgestone Ecopia tires can use fuel-efficient retreads to help extend the life of their tire casings. Bandag FuelTech retreads are designed to work together and complement Bridgestone Ecopia tire casings, for this purpose.