Lanxess launches B2C version of green tyres app with NTDA

Lanxess AG has launched a business-to-consumer version of its new green tyre information app. The launch follows the release of the first version of the consumer orientated app in Europe during the Essen show, then in the UK in September at a tyre labelling roundtable sponsored by the compound supplier. The unveiling of the new app created in conjunction with the NTDA was previewed at October’s Brityrex exhibition before being officially launched at the association’s annual dinner.

The app comes in response to the new EU law on tyre labelling and is designed to help users better understand the benefits of so-called green tyres – tyres that exhibit low rolling resistance characteristics. However unlike the original version which was designed to help consumers educate themselves, the latest version is designed for the trade to work out the benefits of particular tyre label ratings over others as well as to demonstrate this to consumers. In addition, just as the original generic English European version was anglicised for UK release earlier this year, the latest version has been tweaked to reflect the added business orientation of the latest version with the addition of the NTDA’s logo alongside Lanxess’. 

According to a recent Lanxess survey of 3,000 UK motorists almost all (99 per cent) vastly underestimate the impact tyres have on their fuel bills and that over half still prioritise upfront cost when buying their tyres. They also suggest that less than 20 per cent take fuel consumption and long term costs into consideration when making their purchase. Few were aware that they could save around £200 per year in petrol cost and 350kg of carbon emissions if their annual mileage is 10,000 miles, their car averages 35 mpg and the price of fuel is approximately £1.30 per litre.  

The new app, which is available from the NTDA website, like earlier versions before it, is based on scientific research from the Technical University of Munich and asks motorists about the car they drive (to establish fuel consumption), their annual mileage, the current price of petrol, their driving style and the category of their existing tyres according to the labelling system. It then calculates the exact savings per year and delivers that information clearly, and simply in pounds (financial savings), litres (fuel savings) and Kg (carbon savings) on a single screen. The app also uses this information to calculate the time and miles required to recoup the possible additional cost of the green tyres, providing yet more information on which to base purchasing decisions. 

“Unless motorists understand the products they are buying dealers will always find it hard to ensure customers make the most appropriate choices for their vehicle and themselves,” explains Richard Edy, director of the NTDA. “The challenge for any dealer in this industry is that it has always been very hard to answer the question ‘precisely how much money and how much carbon can I save each year if I change my tyres?’. This app provides an accurate answer to that question and makes it quick and easy for our members to demonstrate the benefits of making more considered tyre choices.”  

“The impact of the new labelling system will depend heavily on the number of motorists that understand the link between tyres, fuel economy and environmental impact,” explained Lanxess (UK) Ltd managing director Kim O’Connor. “The results of our survey demonstrate that motorists are not yet at that stage, and need the dealer network to offer an easy and accessible way to demonstrate the difference various tyres can have on their wallets and carbon footprint. This is exactly why we have worked with the NTDA to develop the fuel saving calculator app.”