Zenith hosts Michelin tyre pressure roadshow

One of the UK’s leading vehicle leasing and fleet management companies, Zenith has hosted the Michelin Fill Up With Air roadshow to educate its employees about the importance of regular tyre inspections. The leasing company is running an environmental campaign designed to significantly reduce its carbon emissions while encouraging safer driving. Its new environmental awareness initiative is part of its CSR policy encouraging all employees to play their part in reducing carbon emissions. The business manages more than 38,000 vehicles across the UK.

When the Michelin team visited Zenith’s headquarters in Leeds to check tyre pressures and tread depths and give advice to drivers on tyre maintenance, it checked a total of 82 cars – a mix of grey fleet and privately-owned vehicles. Results showed that 12 per cent of vehicles tested had the correct tyre pressure and a third were under-inflated by between four psi and seven psi – a level considered acceptable for a short period of time.

However 47 per cent had tyre pressures regarded as dangerous, six per cent were at levels considered to be very dangerous, and two per cent had all four tyres over-inflated. In addition to the safety benefits of correct inflation, Michelin estimates that owners could collectively reduce carbon emissions by 3.2 tonnes each year, and save nearly £2,000 annually in fuel costs. If the results from the 82 cars tested are indicative of all vehicles driven by Zenith’s 200 employees, the potential savings could be double that amount.

Zenith’s operations director Mark Connor said that regular tyre inspections are a simple but effective first step to achieving the business’ new environmental targets: “We are dedicated to reducing our company’s carbon footprint and we know that having over-inflated or under-inflated tyres can dramatically affect how safe a vehicle is as well as its fuel efficiency.

“Michelin’s Fill Up With Air events are an engaging and practical way to get that information across to our employees and many of them are now more aware of how important regular tyre care is for the environment and for their safety. The event has been a great way to start our new environmental campaign and the savings highlighted by Michelin have given us a target for the future.” 

Michelin’s key account manager for Zenith Martin Thompson said: “It’s encouraging to see companies such as Zenith taking positive steps to reduce their carbon emissions whilst also promoting driver safety.

“Tests show that braking distances increase by up to five metres with tyres that are 15 psi under-inflated, and fuel consumption increases by six per cent, so a simple exercise such as checking your tyres can lead to a much safer journey and save money as well.”

Zenith says it is exploring the possibility of working with Michelin to hold more Fill Up With Air days with its employees and its fleet customers in the future.

Related news:

• Michelin roadshow helps Arval employees get the right pressure
• Michelin receives Prince Michael safety award
• Michelin, ATS-E to stage Eurotunnel tyre pressure roadshow