Michelin calls on motorists to reduce CO2 emissions

Major tyre manufacturer Michelin says British motorists could be emitting more than two billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere because they are not inflating their tyres correctly.


Research by Michelin suggests that up to three quarters of the 32 million cars in Britain could be running on under-inflated tyres, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The research suggests that motorists could also be wasting more than £1bn a year on fuel due to poor tyre maintenance.

The company claims that an average under-inflated tyre results in a 3% loss of fuel economy and this results in the driver “wasting around £65 a year, simply to overcome the rolling resistance caused by a lack of air in the tyre”.

Michelin UK technical manager for car, van and 4×4, Jamie McWhir said: “Many drivers don’t relate fuel economy to their tyres, when in fact 20% of a car’s fuel consumption is used to overcome rolling resistance. If motorists consume less fuel by having the correct tyre pressure then they produce fewer CO2 emissions and save money.

“In an ideal world, drivers should be checking their tyre pressures every month and before each long journey,” said McWhir.

A survey from Michelin last year also found that 47% of drivers don’t know the correct pressure for their tyres, with 60% relying on their partners or a mechanic to check pressures instead of doing it themselves.

Leigh Stringer

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