Italy considering cash bonus for safer, greener tyres

Italian motorists may soon be financially rewarded for choosing safer and more environmentally friendly options when buying their next set of tyres. GripDetective.it, our partner B2C site in Italy, reports that proposed amendments to the country’s DL Energia (Energy Decree) would deliver a 200-euro bonus when buying a set of four passenger vehicle tyres that have scored an A or B for both wet braking and fuel efficiency on the EU tyre label. Italy’s parliament is currently examining this proposal.

This tyre bonus is part of an intended 20 million fund covering the purchase of sets of C1 tyres intended for M1 category vehicles that carry up to eight passengers, plus driver. When selling a set of four C1 class tyres that have tyre label scores of A or B for wet braking and fuel efficiency, the tyre dealer would issue a receipt that the purchaser could then use to redeem the value within 120 days.

Compared with tyres rated E for fuel efficiency, tyres labelled A and B offer fuel savings in the vicinity of five to seven per cent. Braking distances for A and B tyres can be up to 30 per cent shorter than for tyres with an E label rating for wet grip.