CO2 emissions can be cut by 350,000 tonnes in Singapore if drivers take to the roads with “green tyres“, said industry researcher Frost and Sullivan.
But are drivers ready to steer in a more sustainable direction?
Cars may not need thicker tracks to handle icy weather this festive season in Singapore but according to recent findings by Frost and Sullivan a new trend is take hold - “green tyres”.
They are said to help with fuel efficiency on the road.
At the moment, there are two main directions for “green tyres”.
On one hand, there are trials to produce tyres made of renewable biomass - global player Goodyear is conducting research in this field.
On the other, the type of rubber used may make a difference.
Rubber manufacturer Lanxess says the type of rubber you use can help by increasing fuel efficiency.
That’s because, some types of rubber can result in low rolling resistance tires - ‘green tyres’ - which consume 5 percent less fuel across all vehicle types.
Ethan Sigler, Marketing Manager, India and SEA, Lanxess, said: “We’ve seen that neodymium polybutadiene rubber can be used and it can reduce rolling resistance by 20 to 30 percent in a tyre. Using “green tyres” which utilizes this type of rubber and also different new types of rubber solution, can…save roughly 144 million litres of fuel for Singapore drivers per year.”
With demand of such rubbers set to rise, Lanxess has invested in a second manufacturing plant in Singapore.
It will produce 140,000 metric tons per annum when in full operation.
Industry players say that more education and better labelling is needed to create awareness for consumers.
Mr Sigler said: “We did do a study of mobility habits and green habits of Singapore drivers and price reliability, fuel efficiency and safety came out on top…But I think the issue we have now is that this isn’t so readily apparent when you are purchasing a tyre.”
Already governments in Europe, and closer to home in Japan and South Korea have plans to introduce tyre labelling.
