A joint study conducted by Volvo Trucks and Michelin has found that a combination of good tyre choice, correct pressures and wheel alignment can save fuel by up to 15%. This could then equate to huge savings of nearly £7,000 per vehicle per year.

The test was 2 weeks long, covered 1,000km (621 miles) and was conducted in Hällered, Volvo’s Swedish test circuit. The trucks used were two Volvo FH 4x2s and each had a 500hp 13 litre Euro 5 engine. The trucks both weighed 40 tonnes gross from fully loaded van-bodied trailers. One truck was driven with a number of different incorrect tyre pressures, types and wheel alignments and one was driven with optimal tyre pressures, types and wheel alignments.

The exact speed of the trucks, tyre wear, rolling resistance and pressure was monitored with specialist equipment and adjustments were made by test engineers for confounding variables such as wind, rain and temperature.

The test was independently verified by a representative from SP (the Technical Research Institute of Sweden).  It was also maintained under realistic conditions with no exaggerations “because real life is bad enough”.

The test results found that tyre choice was the key factor to variations in fuel consumption, as it was responsible for an 11% difference. The next factor was wheel alignment with the finding that misaligned wheels used an extra 2.5% fuel. Lastly tyre pressure was found to affect fuel use by 1%. The results were explained by the fact that misalignment and lack of inflation as well as tyre type can cause an increase in rolling resistance.

These results not only apply to long-haul but can be extended to construction vehicles too.

Reduced fuel consumption of course also means reduced CO2 emissions. Considering that commercial trucks are responsible for 30-40% of transport emissions and 22% of the UK’s carbon dioxide comes from its roads, any savings made become very worthwhile.

It is not just fuel and CO2 that are saved but the evidence also suggests that tyre wear and durability is improved from using quality, well maintained tyres. This is because rolling resistance is the result of the friction that occurs when the tyre comes into contact with the road. This friction then transfers heat and kinetic energy to the surface of the tyre, breaking chemical bonds and freeing tiny particles. Tyres that wear down more slowly don’t just make savings on replacements and the resources to make them but will also release less particulate matter into the air from the tiny pieces of worn tyre. Particulate matter (PM) has been found to be very dangerous to human health; see the website of the Healthy Air Campaign for more information.

This study is an important demonstration of what a difference using the right tyres can make as well as ensuring correct maintenance. The Campaign for Better Tyres welcomes it as part of the growing body of scientifically verified evidence supporting our campaign message. We hope that this study will encourage more fleet owners and managers to ensure they have a good, robust tyre procurement and maintenance policy as now they have another reason to be confident in the potential savings.

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 We are pleased to announce that London’s largest minicab firm, Addison Lee and also Transport for London’s Freight (soon to be Fleet) Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) have offered their support for the campaign.

Addison Lee won the Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Award for the best large private sector fleet in 2011. Over the course of last year they reduced their carbon emissions by 10% through measures such as driver education, reducing dead mileage and using innovative software to plan routes. They have also been looking into low carbon vehicle technology such as initiating a pilot project with two all-electric Nissan Leaf cars.  

A key campaign objective for the Campaign for Better Tyres has been to influence the tyre procurement and maintenance policy of large fleets, as this will subsequently affect a great number of vehicles. Addison Lee have drafted a new tyre policy whereby they have committed to follow our advice as far as is reasonably practical. When implemented, this will apply to their entire fleet of 3000 vehicles.

They have also agreed to be a case study to demonstrate to others the benefits of using better tyres. It is hoped that by seeing Addison Lee as a successful example, other companies will follow suit and also make the use of quality tyres a part of their policies.

There are three different grades of membership which helps lead companies through the necessary steps towards improvement, bronze, silver and gold. This is supplemented by an online benchmarking tool. Benchmarking can help FORS members compare their performance with similar operators in London; identify areas where they can improve and save money; develop goals for the company; add value to the business and show the efficiency of their operations to their customers.

 Bronze FORS members will have responsible and effective policies in place, also having a good knowledge of relevant fleet data such as the miles-per-gallon of their vehicles. Silver members must have a commitment to making improvements to their policies and practice, also having a robust monitoring system. To qualify for gold, members must demonstrate consistent improvement in all areas. Other benefits that members of FORS enjoy are: driver licence checks, fuel advice, workshops, breakdown assistance, driver profiling, PCN advice, toolkits and online driver training.

Up until now, FORS had not had a template tyre procurement and maintenance policy as part of its toolkit so they approached the Campaign for Better Tyres to work on one with them. Addison Lee have also been very helpful in this process, sending us the tyre policy they drafted. The Campaign for Better Tyres hopes to encourage FORS members to introduce a minimum set of grades for their tyres based on the new labelling (ideally A-C for fuel efficiency and wet grip and one bar for noise).

If you manage or work for an already green and efficient fleet we would love to hear from you and learn about your tyre policy. The more case studies we can get about the benefits of environmentally friendly, safe and quiet tyres, the sooner the rest will follow.

Please contact Layla.redway-harris@environmental-protection.org.uk

For more information on Addison Lee’s environmental commitments, see here: http://www.addisonlee.com/discover/environment/commitments

For more information about FORS, see here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/fors/default.aspx

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  While it may seem a long time in the future, thinking now about how you can take full advantage of the new information presented on tyre labels can save missed opportunities later on.

The new labels will be mandatory on all car, van and light truck tyres and must be displayed at the point of sale from 1^st November 2012. Please see our page on tyre labelling information for more details of the content of these labels.

If you are managing a fleet of vehicles you may not see the tyres before you buy them, in which case the labels will be displayed on the accompanying paperwork. Taking note of these labels can save your fleet money, reduce CO2 emissions and increase safety both for your drivers and the general public.

In times of economic uncertainty, organisations have to cut back on spending wherever they can so it is very important to make sure you choose tyres that are as efficient as possible. Making such maintenance choices for your vehicles will be one of the best ways of protecting your business from the financial danger of unpredictable fuel prices.

While for some types of tyre this may result in an initial increase in cost, the payback time is relatively short. If an organisation is to achieve sustainability, ecological and financial, then thinking and planning for the long term is essential.

The rolling resistance of a tyre, which determines the fuel economy is rated from A-G, A being the most efficient. The difference between A and G rated tyres for cars is around 0.5l fuel per 100km which will result in 80 litres of fuel saved per year (based on an estimated 10,000km travel per year). This can then save £100 per year per vehicle (based on £1.30 per litre for petrol cars). [1]For commercial or public service vehicles that are used more frequently, this figure may be even higher.

An obstacle for many fleet managers to taking advantage of the new tyre labels is if their maintenance is outsourced to another company. There are fears that if fleet managers start to demand more expensive tyres then their maintenance contracts will increase. However, if there is enough consumer pressure put on these companies, they will be keen to keep both their prices and their level of service competitive with each other.

 Another issue for fleets wanting to take advantage of the new labelling is that some receive fuel vouchers with their maintenance contracts, making fuel efficiency less of a concern. In this case, it is worth bearing in mind that in the longer term, asking for more fuel efficient tyres will then save your maintenance company money, keeping the price of contracts down.

In the year leading up to the rolling out of this new tyre labelling and as fleet maintenance contracts come up for renewal, it may be worth asking your maintenance company if they intend to encompass this new information into their tyre fitting policy. If a company were to promise to only fit tyres from A-C in wet grip and rolling resistance for instance then you could be assured a good degree of economy and safety for your vehicles.

If your fleet maintenance is done in-house then now is the time to start looking at your own tyre fitting policy if you have not already done so. Consider setting a minimum standard based on the label grades which if done in good time will mean your organisation is sufficiently prepared to take full advantage of the labels as soon as they come out.

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With fuel prices rising, it is more important than ever to maintain our tyres properly to minimise the friction caused by rolling resistance and improve fuel efficiency. However, while most of us will check the inflation of our tyres from time to time, there is one aspect of maintenance which is often overlooked – wheel alignment. 

When you buy a new car, its wheels are in perfect alignment to maximise comfort, performance and handling. However, over time the wheels become misaligned. This can occur gradually through everyday driving, or suddenly due to hitting a kerb or driving over a pothole. The wear of suspension parts can also affect alignment.

Driving on misaligned wheels has a number of disadvantages. Improper alignment increases drag on the tyres (rolling resistance), which increases fuel consumption and emissions. According to www.trackace.co.uk/, an average car wastes 10% of fuel at 2° misalignment. Improper alignment is also a major cause of premature tyre wear and can affect the handling and stability of your vehicle. By checking your wheel alignment regularly, you can save money by reducing fuel consumption and tyre wear, improve driving safety and help the environment by reducing emissions.

When should you check your wheel alignment?

It is not always obvious that your wheels are out of alignment, but wheel align experts www.alignmycar.co.uk suggest you look out for the following signs:

• Uneven tyre wear on the fronts or the rears 
  If you can’t visibly see the wear, run your hands over the tyre and you can soon feel where the rubber has worn excessively, on the inside or outside edges. (Warning: Be careful, in extreme cases of excessive wear fine wire may be protruding from the rubber). 
• The car pulls to the left and right
  When driving along a straight flat road and you either need to compensate through the steering to keep the car driving straight the car drifts to the left or right under braking. 
• A crooked steering wheel 
  The steering wheel is not straight, even when driving straight.

A s a general rule your alignment checked at least once a year, or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. However, it is also recommended that you check your alignment when you hit a kerb or pothole, new tyres are fitted, steering and suspension components are replaced or any time the vehicle has an accident or collision.

What sort of check?

There are two types of wheel alignment checks – tracking and four wheel alignment. Tracking checks and adjustments tend to take place on the front two wheels for the ‘Toe’ angle. Four wheel alignment measures a minimum of 12 angles and compares them to the alignment data specified by the vehicle manufacturer. This allows more accurate adjustments of the toe, camber, caster and other angles. 

Generally, four wheel alignment is considered more effective than tracking because tracking on the front wheels does not take into account the direction in which the rear wheels are pointing. If the rear wheels are misaligned, handling, fuel consumption and tyre wear could all be negatively affected.

Choosing a wheel alignment service

There are many different workshops offering alignment checks at different prices and levels, so to help you choose, AlignMyCar recommends that you ask the following key questions:

1) Do you offer a four wheel alignment?

2) Are all four wheel measured simultaneously?

2) How many primary angles does your aligner measure?  12 – 14 is the best

3) Does your aligner provide a printout of the ‘before’ and ‘after’ readings.

For more information on wheel alignment, visit www.alignmycar.co.uk

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This article was published in Issue 50 of Green Fleet magazine and can be viewed at http://www.greenfleet.net/content/view/1039/1/

When it comes to greening the fleet, tyres are often overlooked. After all, how much difference can your choice of rubber make to the overall efficiency of a fleet? Rather a lot, it turns out

ROLLING, ROLLING, ROLLING

The most important aspect of tyre design relating to fuel efficiency is rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is the friction that a tyre creates as it rolls down the road. It is caused when the tyre tread deforms as the wheel rotates, losing energy as heat. The greater the rolling resistance, the more power that the engine needs to drive the vehicle along and the more fuel it consumes. On average, tyre rolling resistance accounts for 20-30 per cent of a vehicle’s fuel consumption.

 Low rolling resistance tyres are designed to minimise the heat loss, thus reducing fuel consumption. Great strides have been made in this technology recently and the best performing car tyres on the market are ten per cent more fuel efficient than the worst performing tyres. Van and truck tyres can achieve even bigger savings.

PERFORMANCE WHEN WET

When choosing low rolling resistance tyres it is also vital to consider their wet grip performance, which reflects the tyre’s ability to brake on wet roads. Balancing rolling resistance and wet grip has been a big challenge for tyre manufacturers because grip is best served by rubber compounds which absorb high levels of energy, while reducing rolling resistance requires compounds which absorb low levels of energy.   

 Developments in tyre technology – such as the addition of silica to the tyre tread compound – means that there are now energy efficient tyres on the market which can match and even exceed the safety performance of standard tyres. However, not all tyres perform equally and the best tyres on the market can stop a massive 18 metres earlier than the worst in wet conditions.

Longevity is another important consideration when selecting tyres for a green fleet. Longer lasting tyres will reduce raw material consumption and related carbon emissions. Hard wearing tyres also emit fewer particles, which has benefits for air quality. In the past there were concerns that low rolling resistance tyres were less durable than standard tyres but evidence suggests that the latest generation of low rolling resistance tyres perform well in durability. 

VEHICLE NOISE 

A final consideration for sustainable fleets is tyre rolling noise, which is the dominant source of vehicle noise above speeds of around 25 mph. At present the quietest tyres on the market can cut rolling noise almost in half. By choosing these tyres for your fleet you can make an important contribution to reducing traffic noise – which currently affects six million people in the UK, leading to sleep disturbance, increased stress, raised blood pressure and even heart attacks.

 From November 2012 it will be easier to buy better tyres because new tyre labelling legislation recently agreed by the EU will be implemented in the UK. This will require all tyres to be labelled at point of sale with information on rolling resistance, rolling noise and wet grip. Tyre manufacturers will also have to display this information on their websites.

Rolling resistance and wet grip will be measured on a scale from A to G, with A being the best performers and G being the worst. Rolling noise will be measured in decibels split into three categories represented by black sound waves. One sound wave will demonstrate that the tyre is 3dB less than the future tighter European limit. Two black sound waves will demonstrate that the tyre is already compliant with the future European limit and three black sound waves will demonstrate that the tyre is compliant only with the current European limit (see label).

 In the meantime, the Campaign for Better Tyres is working with UK and European partners to provide fleet managers with data to help them compare the performance of tyres currently on sale in the UK. 

See the  Campaign for Better Tyres website at www.bettertyres.org.uk/why-better-tyres/buying-better-tyres. 

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Pic by rosipaw

A new survey by Green Flag has shown that motorists have dramatically changed their driving behaviour in response to rising fuel prices, with some forced to ditch their cars altogether.

The survey revealed that more than one in five motorists has been driven off the road in the past year, either ditching their car completely or switching to more fuel efficient transport.

14% of those interviewed said they had stopped using their car altogether, while 14% said they used their car less frequently and are now walking to their destination more often than they drive. A further 7% said they had swapped their cars for motorbikes. 14% of drivers plan to either sell their cars or switch to more fuel-efficient cars as petrol prices continue to rise.

The research also shows that drivers across the UK are changing their driving habits in reaction to the ongoing rise in fuel prices, with 52% saying they have changed how they drive in the past year to save money.

58% said they have cut their average speed in order to conserve fuel, while 46% said they now shop around to find the least expensive fuel.

With fuel prices having such a big impact on household budgets and driver behaviour, it is more important than ever that motorists start thinking about how their tyres affect the fuel economy of their vehicles.

There are now tyres on the market which can reduce fuel consumption by 10% compared to the worst performing tyres - which can make a big difference to fuel bills. Drivers can also reduce their fuel consumption through careful tyre maintenance, such as making sure their tyres are inflated to the right pressure and that their wheels are correctly aligned.

For more information on how better tyres can help you reduce fuel bills, visit www.bettertyres.org.uk

For more information on the Green Flag survey visit http://www.greenflag.com/news/press/One-in-five-motorists-driven-off-the-road-by-soaring-fuel-prices.html

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Pic by Ian Munnings

Last week, The Campaign for Better Tyres exhibited at the eighth annual Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) conference, which took place at Clifford Chance Auditorium in Canary Wharf, London.

With speakers including Jack Short, secretary general of the International Transport Forum, David Ward, director general at the FIA Foundation, Roland Hwang, programme director of the Natural Resource Defence Council and David Kennedy, chief executive of the Committee on Climate Change - the conference offered a valuable insight into the problems of rising road transport emissions and the solutions available to tackle them.

With global carbon emissions from air, land and sea travel set to double by 2050, there is an urgent need to tackle transport efficiency. Road transport accounts for three quarters of total transport emissions, so decarbonising road transportation will be vital to this process.

The recession has slowed down worldwide carbon emissions but they are starting to creep up again, with transport emissions bouncing back quicker than others. A rapidly increasing world population and increasing wealth across the globe mean that emissions are likely to continue rising both absolutely and relatively unless we take some urgent action.

Barriers to progress

So what must be done? The conference speakers agreed that low carbon vehicle technology will be the key to reducing emissions but that there is also need for a political framework to drive consumers towards that technology. Unfortunately, while many politicians pay lip service to climate change, they are reluctant to make changes to transport policy which might prove unpopular.

Additionally, the speakers expressed concern that consumers display a certain amount of hypocrisy when it comes to climate change – they want to reduce emissions but many are unwilling to take action themselves. Motoring journalist Quentin Wilson took this one step further, suggesting that consumers “don’t give a stuff about climate change”, and should not be expected to – especially when some are currently choosing between driving and eating.

Interestingly, the current financial strain faced by drivers could be the key to reducing carbon emissions. As Wilson and several other speakers pointed out, high fuel prices are the biggest driver to consumer behaviour change and could result in adoption of low carbon technology- as long as consumers understand the fiscal benefits of adopting such technology.

Higher fuel prices and fears over fuel security could also drive political change. As one speaker pointed out, it has been said that we are “one regime change away from a global fuel crisis”, which could force politicians to adopt fuel economy policies.

Future fuels

If high fuel prices do drive politicians and consumers to move towards a more sustainable mobility future, what will it look like?

Both speakers and delegates agreed that electric, hydrogen, biofuels and biomethane will all play a role in the future fuel mix and that there will be different solutions for different purposes.

However, it was also agreed that electric and alternative fuels are unlikely to replace conventional internal combustion engines by 2050.

Thankfully, there is still potential to make significant improvements using existing technology, such as more efficient internal combustion engines and energy efficient tyres. Changing driving behaviour, reducing vehicle size and reducing speed limits could also reduce emissions.

Generally, it was agreed that there is no silver bullet to reducing transport related emissions. Success will depend on the adoption of small, cumulative measures alongside new alternative technologies, and consumer demand backed up by political will.

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Currently 1.3 million people are killed on the roads globally each year, with as many as 50 million more injured. The UK has some of the safest roads in the world, but there are still around 2,000 deaths annually and road crashes are the leading cause of death for young people over 10 years old.

The Campaign for Better Tyres will support the Decade of Action on Road Safety by educating consumers about the fact that some tyres perform considerably better in terms of safety than others. The safest tyres currently on sale in the UK can stop as much as 18 metres – longer than an articulated lorry – earlier on wet roads than the worst tyres, which can help prevent accidents.

The campaign will also highlight the importance of proper tyre maintenance, such as ensuring they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth.

We are proud to support this important UN initiative, which could save millions of lives globally, and hope that by raising awareness of these issues and providing information to help consumers make informed choices, we can contribute to the Decade of Action for Road Safety’s aim to reduce road deaths and injuries.

Commenting on the our pledge, Robert Gifford, executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), said: said: “Tyres are the key interface between the car and the road. Although tyre failure is very rare, the more information that consumers can have about tyre safety the better.”

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Following a very interesting meeting last month, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders and their subsidiary Motor Codes are now full partners of the campaign and we will be doing some joint-campaigning work on tyre related issues.

The Parliamentary Advisory Councils for Transport Safety is also now on board and we look forward to working with them in the near future.

I was also lucky enough to visit the bi-annual sustainable mobility conference Challenge Bibendum as a guest of Michelin last month. The conference took place in the magnificent Templehof airport in Berlin, which played a vital roll in sustaining West Berlin during the Soviet blockade of the city in 1948/49. The airport's rich history and imposing architecture made it an inspired choice for the conference - check in desks were used for registration, huge hangers for the seminars and the runway was a test track for the vehicles on show.

The conference itself was excellent, with an impressive display of sustainable technologies and some important discussions around fuel efficiency and road safety. On the tyres front, Michelin unveiled some of the latest generation technology, with has been developed with a focus on reducing raw material usage and improving fuel economy. Protoypes on display included ‘tall and thin’, puncture proof and small-wheeled tyres.

The next conference in the calendar is the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership conference, which is taking place at Canary Wharf on 9^th June. The Campaign for Better Tyres will be exhibiting so keep an eye out for us!

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Pic by Kenjenbro

None of us relish the effort and expense our annual  MOT tests but the majority of us understand that it is an important way to ensure that our vehicles – and those of other road users – are safe and roadworthy.

UK motorists have more frequent  MOT tests than the rest of Europe, but we also have some of the safest roads in the world.

Which is why industry bodies, trade associations and consumer motoring organisations are at a loss to understand Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond’s proposal to increase the interval between MOT tests in the UK.

Hammond wants to bring the UK into line with the rest of Europe by switching to a 4.2.2  MOT regime – with the first  MOT test taking place when the car is four years old and subsequent tests taking place every other year thereafter.

He has justified his proposal by pointing out that car technology has advanced since the current MOT rules were introduced in the 1960s, and claims that motorists will benefit from reduced costs.

Opponents disagree, however, pointing out that while cars are becoming more reliable, components such as tyres are still subject to wear.

For many people,  MOT tests are one of the few times that tyres are examined. According to figures from the Tyre Industry Industry Federation, there are 2.3 million tyre-related  MOT failures every year, which suggests that less frequent  MOT testing would result in more vehicles with illegal or unsafe tyres and higher accident rates on UK roads

Indeed, a 2008 report from the Department for Transport – which carried out a comprehensive review of the UK’s  MOT regime – concluded that extending the period between tests would lead to were 400 extra deaths and 2,500 serious injuries a year.

When you consider that changing MOT frequency would save motorists just £100 for the first six years of a cars life, it hardly seems worth the risk. Particularly when motorists themselves oppose the move – a survey of 4,200 motorists carried out by the  MOT forum suggested that 92% of motorists were in favour of maintaining annual tests.

Which leaves you wondering why Hammond is so keen to change the regime? And hoping that if he does, he has considered the work that will need to be done to encourage motorists to take proper care of their cars and replace worn tyres before they pose a risk to their own lives and the lives of others.

> For more information on the  MOT Frequency Campaign visit the National Tyre Distributors Association website.>

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The survey, which was conducted by Mytyres.co.uk, found that just 54% of motorists considered low tread depth as a reason for changing tyres. Which is extremely worrying when you consider the importance of tread depth and the dangers associated with tyres that don’t have enough tread.

Dangerous and illegal

A tyre’s tread pattern is designed to remove water from the road surface, allowing the tyre to grip, steer, accelerate and break properly in wet weather. New tyres come with 7mm of tread, which gives the best performance in wet and dry conditions. As tyres are used, however, their tread starts to wear away, reducing the tyre’s ability to stop quickly on wet roads and increasing the risk of aquaplaning. This increases the risk of accidents – it is estimated that as many as one in 10 accidents in wet conditions occur because of worn tyres.

Worn tyres are not just dangerous, they are illegal. If caught driving on tyres with less than the legal limit of tread (1.6mm), you face fines of up to £2500 and 3 points on your licence per tyre. Driving on illegal tyres also invalidates your insurance, which could prove costly if you have an accident.

Stay safe

The legal limit for tread depth is 1.6mm. However, road safety experts Tyre Safe advise considering replacing your tyres once their tread falls below 3mm. This is because tests have revealed that tyres with a tread depth of 1.6mm take as much as 44 metres – the length of 10 cars – more to stop from 70mph on wet roads than tyres with 3mm of tread depth.

It is not always easy to spot when a tyre is dangerously worn so you should test the tread depth of your tyres at least once a month using the ‘20p test’. Simply insert a 20p coin into the tread grooves of your vehicle’s tyre – if the outer rim of the coin is covered there is sufficient tread depth, if the outer rim of the coin is visible, you should have your tyres inspected by a professional.

Of course, checking tyre tread is only one aspect of tyre maintenance. See the Tyre Care section on our website for more.

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The ‘Every Drop Counts’ campaign promotes a holistic approach to truck fuel efficiency which takes into account not only the major technological innovations such as hybrid technology and gas-powered engines, but also accessories and services such as choice of tyres, vehicle maintenance and traffic planning systems.

For tyres, the campaign promotes choosing the right tyres, keeping them properly inflated and ensuring that wheels and axles are correctly aligned. Volvo has carried out extensive testing and concluded that by getting these three things right, hauliers can cut fuel consumption by a substantial 14% for a truck hauling a loaded trailer.

You can check out the campaign for yourself here.

For more advice on tyre procurement, check out the truck and bus fleet pages on our Campaign for Better Tyres website here

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The Panamera 4-door GT has a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine. When fitted with standard tyres, it achieves 43.5mpg and emits 172g/km CO2.

When the optional low rolling resistance tyres are fitted, mileage increases by 1.3mpg to 44.8mpg and the Panamera achieves a combined fuel efficiency of 6.3 litres/100 km.

In addition to improving fuel efficiency the low rolling resistance tyres reduce CO2 emissions by 5g/km to 167g/km, meaning that the Panamera would fall into the 26% company car tax band rather than the 27% company car tax band it would fall into with standard tyres.

With such evident fuel and tax savings, it will be interesting to see how many people choose the optional low rolling resistance tyres. And let's hope that Panamera drivers remember that the car will only continue deliver the promised fuel efficiency if they replace their tyres with fuel efficient models.

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It has been a busy few weeks since our campaign launched but I am pleased to announce that our new tyre procurement guides for fleet managers are finished and available to download for free using the links below:

• Download Car & Van Fleet Guidance
• Download Truck & Bus Fleet Guidance

Our Campaign for Better Tyres website www.bettertyres.org.uk also has  information on tyre procurement, tyre maintenance and the new EU tyre labels, which are due to be introduced in November 2012.

We are currently encouraging businesses and organisations that support the campaign to add their logos our supporters' wall at http://www.bettertyres.org.uk/whos-on-board. The easiest way to sign up is through Twitter or Facebook but you can also send your logo to carina.perkins@environmental-protection.org.uk and I will add it for you.

There are some really exciting things in the pipeline for the campaign, so watch this space!

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Last week, the World Health Organisation released a report stating that traffic noise is the second biggest environmental problem affecting the health of Europeans. The study said that 1.8% of heart attacks in high income European coutries are attributed to high levels of traffic noise. That might not sound like a lot, but when you consider that cardiovascular disease is the largest cause of death in the EU, it is quite significant. 

The WHO report is not the first to link traffic noise with heart attacks. It is estimated that traffic noise in London is responsible for 108 heart attack deaths a year and as many as six million people in the UK are exposed to levels of traffic noise that put them at risk.

Sustainable fleets

Vehicle noise is often overlooked when it comes to sustainable fleet procurement policies, but the WHO report demonstrates that noise is a vital consideration for any responsible organisation.

And reducing vehicle noise is not difficult - it is possible to make a big reduction by simply choosing better tyres.

Tyre rolling noise is the dominant noise source at speeds above 25-30mph and there is a big difference between the noise levels created by different tyres. The quietest car tyres currently on the market are 6-8 dB (A) quieter than the noisiest. The quietest lorry tyres are 10 dB (A) quieter. To put that in perspective - a 10 dB (A) reduction is equal to a halving of noise - which would make a big difference to the lives of people who live near busy roads.

In addition to the benefits to public health, quieter tyres can also have benefits for business. There has been a lot of talk about introducing European emission zones, which might include limits on vehicle noise. Forward thinking organisations which address vehicle noise now will not be caught out in the future.

Choosing quieter tyres

From November 2012 it will be easier to choose quieter tyres because the new tyre labels will include information on exterior rolling noise.

Until then, The Campaign for Better Tyres website has links to databases and tests which compare the noise levels of different tyres.

Your tyre supplier should also be able to recommend which tyres are the quietest.

If you want to learn more about tyre noise, there are some really useful videos on the European Federation for Transport and Environment's website.

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Thanks to everyone who made it to the official launch of our campaign in London last week, it was a great event and it was encouraging to see so much enthusiasm for the campaign.

Transport Minister Norman Baker kindly agreed to launch the campaign and gave a very supportive speech explaining why tyres are important. You can see for yourself what he had to say by watching the video below.

Many thanks to Flemmich Webb of Mantis Communications for filming and editing.

Better_tyres_launch_w_out_logo#1436.m4v Watch on Posterous

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So you have decided that you want to replace your tyres with energy efficient, low noise and safe tyres…. now what?

At the moment, there is no central database comparing tyre performance.

Tyre manufacturers have carried out their own tests, which will allow you to compare two tyres of the same brand, but they all measure rolling resistance, rolling noise  and wet grip slightly differently so it is difficult to compare between brands.

Tyre labels
 
From November 2012 it will be much easier to buy better tyres because the EU is introducing a new tyre labelling law. The law will require all tyres to be accompanied at point-of-sale with information on fuel efficiency, external rolling noise and wet grip.

Tyre manufacturers will also have to display the information on their websites.

The labels will be useful because they will standardise measurement of energy efficiency, noise and wet grip, allowing you to compare brands more easily.

•  Energy efficiency and wet grip will be rated on a scale from A-G, with A being the best performers.

• Rolling noise will be marked in decibels and indicated by black soundwaves, with one being the quietest and three being the noisiest.
  

Until then…

There have been some independent tests carried out by auto magazines and experts comparing tyre performance. Some that I have come across so far are:

•  Autobild Eco Tyre Test 2010  - German magazine tested tyres on energy efficiency, noise and safety in wet and dry condition

•  2010 European Summer Tyre Test - German auto club ADAC, Switzerland's Touring Club (TCS) and Austrian magazine AMTC (Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club) tested tyres on wet and dry handling, noise, fuel consumption and wear

•  Dutch government tyre tests - The Dutch government tested tyres on fuel consumption, noise and wet grip:
  
  • Summer Tyres
  • Winter Tyres
  • All Season Tyes
    

• Auto Express Tyre Test 2010  – UK car website tested tyres on rolling resistance, wet grip, braking and handling.   

We are constantly on the look out for tyre tests and will post any we find on our website www.bettertyres.org.uk

You tyre supplier should also be able to recommend some energy efficient, low noise and safe tyres. Just make sure that you ask for tyres which have low rolling resistance, low noise and good wet grip.

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Tomorrow, George Osborne will announce whether or not there will be a further fuel duty increase in the 2011. Speculation suggests that he has taken the planned rise out of the Budget following industry and consumer anger about the rising cost of fuel.

Increases in fuel duty have an explicit environmental purpose and are used by the Government as a tool to tackle road transport pollution, which currently accounts for 22% of the UK’s total CO2 emissions. However, they are strongly opposed by the motoring groups and the transport industry, which have been in uproar over the fact that the last rise, in January 2011, coincided with an increase in the VAT rate to a record high of 20%.

Some of the most vehement opponents to fuel duty increases are freight transport groups, which warn that the fuel duty escalator - along with increases in price of fuel – are threatening the sector’s competitive viability. Diesel represents 35% of the overall cost of running a truck, so the sector is particularly sensitive to fuel price increases. The fuel duty rises introduced since April will add £1,200 per year to the annual bill for running an articulated truck, which has already risen by £3,800 due to a nine pence per litre rise in diesel prices.

It remains to be seen what decision George Osborne will make but matter what he decides, fuel prices are likely to remain high. Instability in the Middle East and declining global reserves of oil will continue to put pressure on motorists, even if the government does not. 

It is therefore vital that in addition to fighting against fuel duty increases, the industry makes a concerted effort to reduce its fuel consumption. By investing in best practice and low carbon technology, commercial fleets could improve fuel efficiency, thereby negating the impact of fuel price increases. Carbon emissions are directly related to fuel consumption and low carbon technology such as energy efficient tyres can lead to significant savings.

Energy efficient tyres are widely available and can lead to big fuel savings. Tyre manufacturers claim that by fitting tyres with a 25% reduction in rolling resistance on all axles of an articulated truck, it is possible to improve its fuel consumption by at least 5%. Tests carried out by the Department for Transport have confirmed the fuel saving potential of low rolling resistant tyres. In three separate off-road trials, fuel consumption improved by 5-8% when vehicles were fitted with energy efficient tyres. In-use industry tests have also produced impressive results, with one haulier achieving fuel savings of 13%.

Further fuel savings can be achieved by careful tyre maintenance, eco driving training and other low carbon technologies such as truck aerodynamics. Application of this technology would also not only reduce fuel bills but also reduce the transport sectors environmental impact, perhaps discouraging further duty increases in the future.

The first phase of the Campaign for Better tyres, launched on 29th March, will focus on explaining the benefits of energy efficient, low noise and safe tyres to the fleet industry. We hope that by choosing better tyres, the industry can improve its commercial viability whilst at the same time reducing transport’s impact on our environment.

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