Anglian Water spot on with pressure test

Anglian Water and Michelin are celebrating the success of a five year drive to ensure tyres are maintained at the correct pressure across its 4,000 employees’ 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 per cent across the fleet, compared with under-inflation by an average of 15.2 per cent in 2011 when the project started. The fleet’s tyres are now projected to be lasting their full life, whereas tyre life was previously reduced by as much as 10 per cent as a result of operating under-inflated.

The dramatic 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 per cent in 2013 and 4.8 per cent in 2014.

David Leggett, fleet maintenance workshop controller at Anglian Water, explains: “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, adds: “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.

Michelin’s fleet team have also instigated an annual ‘Fill Up With Air’ roadshow at different premises across the business. This has seen staff invited to make a quick ‘pitstop’ as they arrive or depart the site, having their tyre pressures checked and adjusted for free – without having to get out of their vehicle.

Fern adds: “This continued focus on tyre pressure maintenance has saved a significant amount of CO₂ to-date – it’s a remarkable achievement for something as simple as adding air.”

Michelin’s work also supports Anglian Water’s Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) policy, as correctly inflated tyres mean staff are safer on the road, and extending intervals between tyre replacements. Longer tyre life in turn reduces raw material consumption, as less new tyres are needed, further benefiting the environment.