Michelin has launched its new CrossClimate range, aimed at fleets, which it says is a summer tyre certified for use in winter.

The range has received an 'A' performance rating for wet braking under European tyre labelling legislation. The company says ‘all-season’ products currently on the market from other manufacturers are generally less efficient than winter tyres, especially on wet roads – with European tyre labelling ratings of between ‘C’ and ‘E’ under wet braking. 

The range is approved for winter use, even in countries that require special equipment for winter driving, with the new tyres carrying the Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake (3PMSF) certification on the sidewall.

Andy Fern, Michelin’s head of fleet, said: “This new tyre addresses an increasingly urgent need among business motorists to feel safer when faced with unstable, unpredictable weather conditions, including occasional snowfall.

"It’s ideally suited to the UK and Irish markets, where fleets can now drive safely the entire year without needing to change tyres.”

The new Michelin CrossClimate tyre range will be available in Europe from May 2015, initially in 23 sizes ranging from 15 to 17 inches and covering 70 per cent of cars sold on the European market, as well as many leading makes of car-derived vans. Other sizes are scheduled for introduction in 2016.