A technology firm out of Tennessee called
Go Nitro Tire is promoting a hybrid tire filled with nitrogen instead of oxygen.
The company says the benefits are a longer tire life, better gas mileage and safer tires. The company further claims nitrogen tire inflation has the potential to save America at least 2 billion gallons of oil a year.
The Rubber Manufacturers Association says 54% of Americans drive on under-inflated tires which costs 3 to 5 miles per gallon. A tire can be 30% to 40% deflated and still look fine.
In the past, nitrogen technology has been available to only NASCAR, Formula One, the military and commercial airlines. Nitrogen programs are now being offered for the trucking industry, the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York City and police departments throughout the nation.
The founder of GoNitro Tire, Ken Lawton, says nitrogen tire inflation ..."is one of the best pieces of green technology to emerge in years." There have been advancements made in nitrogen tire technology since April of 2007.
Nitrogen, by the way, is a gas that makes up 70% of the air we breathe. It's dry, inert, colorless and odorless. To learn more, click
here.