New EU Tyre Label Regulation – what does it mean for commercial vehicle operators?
Continental Tyres are offering commercial vehicle customers guidance on the latest EU tyre label regulation, which is now applied to heavy-duty commercial vehicle tyres, including trucks and buses (Class C3).
| What does the revised EU Tyre Label include? |
| The updated EU tyre label now rates wet braking distance, fuel efficiency, external noise of the tyre, and winter performance data, via the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) symbol, which determines whether a tyre meets the tough snow performance requirements across Europe. A unique QR code features on the actual label and in the tyre manufacturers’ information, linking the tyre to the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL), where additional tyre label information can be obtained. |
| What do the revised labels mean for commercial vehicle fleets? |
| The regulation underpinning the new EU tyre labels only applies to new tyres, with new legislation relating to retread tyres expected in 2023. It stipulates that tyre suppliers must inform buyers of label values during the sales process. Importantly for commercial vehicle operators, mileage performance is not yet incorporated into the label, on the basis that suitable test methods are not currently available. The label values are also based on the tyre’s performance when new and do not take into account the performance characteristics of the tyre across its lifetime. Tony Stapleton, Head of Group Fleet Sales at Continental Tyres, says: “The new EU tyre label is designed to help people choose safer, more fuel-efficient tyres, factors which are vitally important whether you drive a car, a van or are responsible for choosing tyres for a commercial vehicle fleet. “Commercial vehicle customers should view the labelling as just one part of their discussions with tyre suppliers, to ensure the performance factors not included in the labelling, such as the opposing requirements of mileage and durability, are factored into their choice. Most fleets need to make sure their tyres offer a balance between these contrasting drivers, and this will greatly differ fleet to fleet depending on the type of operation and vehicles.” |
| Conversations with tyre suppliers is the key to tyre efficiency |
| Tony Stapleton believes the new EU tyre label regulation should be used as a base on which to build more detailed conversations with tyre suppliers on efficiency. Tony Stapleton says, “The EU tyre label gives a good indication of a tyre’s minimum level of comparable performance, but commercial fleets are complex and there simply isn’t enough space on the label to include all the factors we consider when selecting tyres. To really understand actual fuel efficiency savings and the benefits this can bring to bottom line costs and reducing CO2 emissions, more detail is required on the specific rolling resistance coefficient of the tyres as these vary within a range for a given EU tyre label value… and most importantly to run monitored field trials on their own fleet.” Original article from Fleet Transport .ie – for more details visit – https://www.continental-tyres.co.uk/truck/knowhow/eu-tyre-label-truck |
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