Reduce your fuel consumption by using energy-saving truck tyres

Economic and environmental stakes are putting more pressure on fleets to get their tyre strategy spot on. With inflation still running high, reducing energy consumption becomes a priority. Michelin has created two ranges of energy-saving tyres for long-haul and regional use to help fleets master their energy costs. François Le Hen, Director of Product Marketing, tells us more about it.

François Le Hen, Director of Product Marketing

Could you start providing us with information about the economic and environmental context affecting the fleet's energy consumption?

First, Covid-19 has caused inflation and disrupted the global economy. Secondly, the political context of 2022-2023 has worsened the existing challenges, making energy (fuel, gas and electricity) prices unpredictable. Then, there's a shortage of drivers due to changing HGV drivers' expectations about their working conditions and other local factors. Finally, the drive to improve the sustainability of the road transport industry means many businesses must adapt their vehicle fleets to reduce environmental impact.

How exactly does this impact HGV fleets?

In such a volatile business environment, fleets face lower profit margins, and they must be vigilant in managing their costs to remain in control and make informed decisions. When updating their truck fleets, companies must take account of the latest standards which means buying more fuel-efficient vehicles. They must closely monitor all fleet management data, such as loading and vehicle telematics information, to determine the precise fuel consumption per driver and vehicle. This information can then be used to drive the awarding of potential fuel consumption bonuses or provide eco-driver training to their drivers, as required.

Additionally, fleets must prioritise predictive maintenance to prevent costly breakdowns, optimise tyre expenditure, and regroove & retread tyres to manage running costs.

How do low rolling resistance tyres help fleets reduce their energy consumption?

From the outset, it’s important to understand that today Michelin can offer two different types of low-rolling-resistance truck tyres, making the product accessible to more fleets and in more applications than ever before.

Both of these low-rolling-resistance tyre ranges reduce the energy consumption of trucks. The MICHELIN X® LINE™ ENERGY™ and the MICHELIN X® MULTI™ ENERGY™ have the same grip potential as standard ranges when it comes to traction and braking. At Michelin, we don't compromise on safety and quality.

How do energy-saving tyres help fleets reduce their environmental footprint?

In South Africa, reducing CO2 emissions is a key focus in the transportation sector, and energy-saving tyres are an effective way for fleets to reduce their environmental footprint.

Both the MICHELIN X® LINE™ ENERGY™ and the MICHELIN X® MULTI™ ENERGY™ ranges reduce rolling resistance and fuel consumption, meaning less CO2 emissions when fitted to a diesel- or petrol-powered vehicle.
 

South Africa has specific regulations aimed at reducing vehicle carbon emissions. The country has adopted a suite of measures, including a carbon tax introduced in February 2019. The country aims to achieve a net zero carbon emission target by 2050 alongside interim goals, such as a 50% reduction by 2030.⁽⁵⁾

CO2 isn't the only emission we want to reduce when you use energy-saving tyres. With the MICHELIN X® LINE™ ENERGY™ 2 and MICHELIN X® MULTI™ ENERGY™ ranges, as with other Michelin products, our ambition is to reduce emissions of wear particles. Just like our passenger car tyres, these reduce such emissions by up to 20% per kilometre(6) compared with their competitors.
 

This means that when purchasing low rolling resistance tyres, you are investing in a more sustainable fitment policy, with a tread pattern that can be regrooved and a casing that can be retreaded. Your investment can also lead to improved fuel economy, better electric vehicle range, and lower maintenance costs. Use our calculator to measure the impact of regrooving on your fleet's efficiency.