Fuel Efficient Tires
 

Is anyone here familiar with Toyo Tires' Versado Eco? Does it really improve the fuel efficiency of hybrid cars? I am planning to a set for my 2015 Toyota Prius.

I don't. Unfortunately, there also is no good public source of data on such things as the fuel efficiency of specific tire brands. One thing you might do is check to see if any OEMs use them for their fuel efficient vehicles. But if you find none, that does not prove they are not good fuel economy tires, of course.

Compared to the OE tire (the one that came on the car from the factory), those Toyo's are probably worse for fuel economy - but they will probably be better for wear and traction.

Just an FYI: Tires have a technology triangle involving treadwear, traction, and fuel economy. In order to get gains in one area, one or both of the other areas has to be sacrificed.

Car manufacturers generally specify low levels of rolling resistance, so OE tires generally don't wear well, and sometimes have poor traction.

Beware of tires labeled LRR (or something similar - in this case Eco). That means better fuel economy compared to tires with similar wear and traction levels. It does NOT mean low levels of RR.

And lastly, expect to take a hit in fuel economy when you replace wornout tires. New tires have worse fuel economy that the same tire when it is worn out. It has to do with the volume of tread rubber, new vs worn.

"Robbing the rubber Peter to pay the performance Paul"!

I am about to put some Yokohama avid ascend tires on my leaf. I have had that tire on 2 other cars.
They are made in the USA in Roanoke VA and they are cheaper than the big name brands low rolling resistance tires by about $20 per tire.

I have a set of 205/60/16 Bridgestone ecopia EP422+ tires that roll noticeably better than my previous mixed set of 2 Goodyear assurance fuel max and 2 Yokohama YK580s in 215/50/17.

The Ecopia EP422+ is the OEM tire on new Mazda 3.

My leaf has those ecopia tires now and they are about warn out.
The ecopia tires were $40 to $50 more per tire than the yokos.

Are they any good ?
I replaced the stock Bridgestone Ecopia 25 on the GasDwarf almost immediately - instant dislike as to their handling.

The Dwarf is a powerless cart that needs to be kept @ speed as it doesn't really accelerate - 0-60 (100kph) in 16s is otherworldy these days.

(the Ecopias went onto my sister's car - she had some really horrible tyres on it)

My winter tyres are C-rated , 175 wide
But I have a hard time matching their numbers on my 185 wide , B-rated summer tyres, despite these being 3% oversized and having the better FE rating

All are worn in, running similar inflation


The Nokian eLine2 is a summer tyre

A rated tyres for FE are still quite rare
A-A (additional A rating for braking) even more so


If you want to browse through tyres in the EU:
https://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk...95-65-15.html#


Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27
195/65 R15 91 H

Hankook Kinergy Eco K425
195/65 R15 95 H
XL

Nokian eLine 2
195/65 R15 95 H
XL

Those tires do really good in the rain.
I didn't think they did very well in the snow and ice but I have only have about 1 day a year of snow and ice that I have to drive in so not really a problem.
They last a long time.
I put a set on my wifes car about 2 years ago. Probably got about 30,000 miles on them not even half worn out.