In simplest terms, rolling resistance is the amount of energy a tire uses over a specific distance. It can also be explained as the force resisting the motion when a tire rolls on a surface.
Rolling friction is a key factor contributing to rolling resistance, affecting the energy losses and overall efficiency of a vehicle. It’s a crucial factor in the physics of moving vehicles, directly influencing fuel consumption, vehicle performance, and how fast tires wear.
Rolling resistance impacts fuel consumption and vehicle performance by indicating how different factors like tire pressure and load affect the resistance a vehicle faces.
When a tire rolls, it deforms and dissipates energy as heat, necessitating additional energy (fuel) to maintain speed and overcome this resistance.
According to Continental Tire, rolling resistance accounts for up to 30% of a truck’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Whether you operate a small fleet of a few trucks or a large fleet with several hundred vehicles, ANY fuel savings and emissions reductions can add up.
Author: Lauren Fletcher.
