FLEETS are being urged to learn from an innovative green tyre programme adopted by the Environment Agency's fleet to cut down on fuel consumption and waste. Under the programme the agency has insisted that its fleet supplier, PHH Vehicle Management, only supplies new cars fitted with 'green tyres'.

Green tyres are those which have a longer life and have been designed to cut down on rolling resistance and so help fuel economy. According to tyre manufacturer Continental, which does not charge a premium for its ContiEcoContact EP tyres, using green rubber cuts fuel bills up to 5% and each tyre should last 30% more miles. The effect is a cut in used fuel and a drop in the number of tyres being disposed of in landfill sites or burnt.

The benefits of the tyres spurred Clive Moy, regional estates manager (Midlands) for the Environment Agency to suggest the launch of the green tyre policy on its 2,500-vehicle fleet. Following a series of presentations, the agency agreed to insist that all vehicles provided through their contract with PHH were fitted with the tyres.

Rob Atkins, national contracts manager for the car fleet at the agency, said estimates for the savings possible were difficult to make, as drivers received a mileage rate reimbursement for their business mileage and tyre replacements were dealt with by PHH Vehicle Management. But if the fleet was finding tyres were lasting on average 30,000 miles, it would order four per vehicle during the life of the car, equal to 10,000 tyres over a four-year period. A 30% increase in tyre life would mean the vehicles did not need replacements during the vehicle's life, equivalent to a £300,000 over a whole fleet cycle.