Michelin Debuts Mining Industry’s First Energy-Efficient Tire, the Michelin XDR 4 SPEED ENERGY™

GREENVILLE, S.C. Oct. 01, 2024 – Michelin introduces the Michelin XDR 4 SPEED ENERGY, the mining industry’s first-ever energy efficient tire that is designed to reduce a mining vehicle’s fuel consumption and lower CO₂ emissions through an optimized, more flexible tread and new energy-saving rubber compound.

First announced at MINExpo 24, The Michelin XDR 4 SPEED ENERGY tire achieves up to 3.6% better fuel efficiency compared to the Michelin XDR 250 C tire^[1], resulting in savings of about 5,300 gallons of fuel or $24,000 per truck annually^[2]. For a fleet of 50 trucks, this would equate to almost $1.2 million in annual savings and a reduction of 2,600 tons of CO₂ emissions within a year^[3].

“To gain a clearer insight into a tire’s impact on energy efficiency, we must examine the forces that slow down vehicle movement, referred to as rolling resistance,” said Lisa Hickey, Michelin Sustainability Lead for Mining. “The Michelin XDR 4 SPEED ENERGY tire features innovative technologies, such as an optimized, more flexible tread and energy-saving rubber compound, that enable the tire to run cooler and result in more energy being directed towards propelling the truck.”

This cutting-edge tire innovation allows vehicles such as rigid dump trucks to minimize energy consumption using a new energy-saving compound. When a mining vehicle carries a load and operates on various terrains, whether hard or soft, the tire deforms and flexes, generating heat that results in energy loss and requires the vehicle to exert more effort to move forward.

Mining trucks fitted with Michelin XDR 4 SPEED ENERGY tires experience reduced rolling resistance, which leads to lower fuel usage^[1], reduced CO₂ emissions^[1], and cost savings—a win for the industry and the planet alike.

[1] Based on internal testing at the Michelin CEMA test center, comparing the Michelin 50/80R57 XDR 4 SPEED ENERGY^TM tire and the Michelin 50/80R57 XDR 250 C tire on a CAT793 truck in flat conditions. Actual results may vary.

[2] Considering an average cost of diesel of $4.45/gallon based on July 15, 2024 (U.S. West Coast), from the U.S. Energy Information Administration website.

[3] Emission savings estimated based on 1 liter of diesel being equivalent to 2.66 kg of CO₂.

“Michelin has been an innovation leader for 135 years. We push the boundaries of technology and design to ensure that our solutions lead the market,” said Renaud Durand,

Michelin Mining Technical Director. “The Michelin XDR 4 SPEED ENERGY tire delivers improvements in rolling resistance without compromising key performances like safety and productivity. Today, we are leveraging our in-depth experience in composites and engineered materials to introduce the Michelin XDR 4 SPEED ENERGY tire, the mining industry’s first energy-efficient tire designed to help our customers reduce fuel consumption and lower CO₂ emissions. Our ambition is to grow our leadership in energy efficiency by delivering benchmark solutions for the mining industry across our portfolio.”    

Michelin is committed to joining forces with its mining customers to help transform the industry, reducing the environmental impact of not just its own operations, but also the products, services, and support it delivers.

This new first-of-its-kind tire will be available commercially in 2025. For more information on the Michelin XDR4 SPEED ENERGY tire, please visit us on our website.

About Michelin North America, Inc.

Michelin is the leading mobility company and manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. For more than 130 years, Michelin has made contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications for demanding fields, including mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare, and offer the finest experiences, from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America has approximately 23,500 employees and operates 35 production facilities in the United States (michelinman.com) and Canada (michelin.ca).