An initiative from Anglian Water and Michelin over the last five years has ensured correct tyre pressures across its vehicles.

A sample of nearly 100 cars and vans inspected by Michelin in the latest study found average tyre pressures accurate to within less than 0.1% across the fleet, compared with under-inflation by an average of 15.2% in 2011.

Tyre life was previously reduced by as much as 10% as a result of operating under-inflated. 

The results – achieved by educating employees about the importance of tyre pressure maintenance – are estimated to have saved 143.7 tonnes of CO2 and 60,546 litres of fuel over five years, marking a significant contribution to carbon reduction and fleet efficiency.

Levels of under-inflation have consistently improved since the project began, dropping to 9.1% in 2013 and 4.8% in 2014.

David Leggett, fleet maintenance workshop controller at Anglian Water, explained: “The relationship with Michelin is not just about them selling us tyres and walking away; it’s about their continued proactive work and innovation to help us to achieve our goals. Michelin has sustained its focus and delivered tangible savings to our fleet every year.”

Andy Fern, Michelin’s head of fleet, added: “If every employer followed Anglian Water’s example, the environmental results could be off the scale. The beauty of this project is that it can be repeated with any fleet – there’s no investment on their part required. It’s about changing attitudes to tyre care for the long-term; we’d be willing to support more customers in achieving these results.”

Key to the success of this project has been the delivery of a training module by Michelin, for use by managers at all levels to educate staff about the impact tyre pressures have on the environment, fuel efficiency and tyre life. Michelin has also provided tyre inflation posters to display in Anglian Water’s offices and workshops, as well as content for its intranet.