As I speak with industry members, regulators and legislators I continue to be stunned by the lack of appreciation of the very critical role that tyres play in our societies.

Governments bleat about fuel security “investing” precious currency to prop up petroleum fuel storage and production in the face of the ever-expanding development of electric vehicles and more recently the advent of hydrogen as a viable fuel with thanks to the PV (solar) industry advancements. Tyres? What do you mean tyres? Without tyres our societies would grind to a halt in the near term. How are they not a strategic consideration?

Our industries (tyre, road freight transport, mining, public transport and leisure) are facing sufficient difficulties with COVID as well as international shipping challenges to be faced with continued ignorance and negligence by our legislators and regulators.

Please review your countries legislative requirements in regards tyre inflation for light vehicles (say <4,500 kgs) and then the same requirement for heavy vehicles (>4,500 kgs). What do you find?

Mostly I think you will find that tyre inflation pressures are regulated for light vehicles via the vehicle manufacturers tyre placard. For heavy vehicles there is little, if any, such requirement. To illustrate the yawning gap between reality and regulation one peak heavy transport regulatory body published a procedure for roller brake testing for heavy vehicles. The procedure details in minute detail the requirements of the pneumatic system on the truck under test yet merely stated “tyres should be inflated.” As everyone in the tyre industry understands a tyre can be inflated at low pressures totally unrelated to actual operating pressures. What connects the brakes to the pavement? Tyres!

I’ve spoken at length about the absolute requirement for a tyre to be appropriately inflated. This is basic physics, the air molecules captured within the tyre’s air chamber actually support the applied loads. If there are insufficient molecules of air the tyre will be overworked so overheat and so enter a failure phase. There are other requirements for the inflation being the actual shaping of the tyre to interface with the pavement at the optimum level, read traction. A wide based tyre requires special construction to maintain the tread platform shape. If the inflation pressure is not at the manufacturer’s specified level will this critical shape be maintained? Then it is not only the performance of the tyre in question but also the safety of the vehicle and that of the general public in the areas this vehicle operates in.

The extensive report produced by the TNO Organisation (TNO 2013 R10986) detailed not only the exhaust emissions as a result of inappropriately inflated tyres but also the road safety outcomes. This paper is now just over eight years old but the situation with real time pressure monitoring for heavy vehicles remains as it was, 50 years or more ago. WHY? Are our regulators asleep at the wheel (or tyre some may say) through entrenched inaction and ignorance? Or is it that there are just “no votes” in tyres and everyone just ASSuMes their tyres are “ok”?

EV tyres

With the advent of electric vehicles, the ramifications for tyres are huge. In the past internal combustion engines (ICE) built up torque over a rev range, drivelines multiplied the torque developed and for heavy vehicles there is a sweet spot for torque. The multi speed gearboxes assisted the driver to maintain forward motion within this torque sweet spot. Electric motors apply maximum torque over most of their operating range. From the instant the power is applied by the driver (be that human or robotic) the tyres are under peak stress. Any deficiency within the tyre will be magnified with detrimental results. Such a deficiency may be of a manufacturing nature but this is largely controllable by the manufacturer. What is not currently controllable is the human maintenance factor, the applied inflation pressure.

Tyre manufacturers have for as long as they have been manufacturing tyres been informative about the criticality of appropriate tyre inflation. There are untold charts and pictorials showing how a tyre is influenced by under or over inflation yet our regulators and legislators continue to keep their heads buried deep out of the light. WHY when tyres are such a critical component of our modern-day motor vehicle? I would charge ignorance and negligence on one hand but then on the other suggest that because tyres work as well as they do, are as forgiving (by nature of their fundamental flexible design) our “guiding powers” can focus on other trendy and glamorous aspects such as stability control or autonomous braking. An important question for these people to consider and respond to; “what item on the vehicle transfers the power (and so directly influence these vehicle control systems) from the vehicle to the pavement (be that power tractive or retardation)? Yes of course, the humble tyre.

So, when a government sponsored or publicly funded body involved in road safety ignores tyres (for whatever reason, ignorance or negligence) are they really serving the interests of our communities and societies or are they just -- I should stop there but you know where I’m going!

The technology to monitor tyre pressures in real time is and has now been available for decades. The TREAD Act (USA) mandated tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS) for light vehicles in the USA in the year 2000. This year TPMS gets a key for its birthday, yes well and truly a mature product (some may say adult) and industry yet, our regulators and legislators continue to ignore the humble tyre.

The upsides of maintaining tyres at an appropriate pressure I’ve discussed previously, all positive. The same detail has been published in many papers (such as the TNO paper!) but we as an industry continue to live in the past whilst adopting hi-tech solutions for other aspects of our industries, e.g., GPS tracking, fatigue monitoring, reefer monitoring and control, real time video surveillance of the drivers and the surrounding traffic conditions. Why? To me there is little respect paid to the critical role the tyre provides for us. So many users do not consider how the tyre works for them and why the simplest of tasks will enhance the performance, yes, I speak of inflation maintenance. Without respect the tyre will never be recognised for the contribution it has made and continues to make.

I publicly and openly challenge our tyre manufacturers as a collective to mount an education campaign to enhance the level of respect the general public has about tyres. The TIA (US) and USTMA have local campaigns on behalf of their members but I consider that until the tyre manufacturers as a collective industry actual improve the level of respect for the humble tyre we will be chasing our tails on a race to the bottom. Our tyres deserve better!

What about Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental, BKT, Dunlop, ZC Rubber, Hankook, Pirelli, Toyo, Sumitomo, Yokohama, Kumho, MRF, Apollo, Nokian, JKTyres, Cooper, Titan, Linglong, Triangle et al?

Remember success does not reward a lack of action. (TT)

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Bridgestone has reported a significant shift in UK consumer sentiment regarding electric vehicles, with new data indicating a sharp rise in drivers who reject the technology. The tyre manufacturer's survey reveals that 26 percent of motorists now declare they will never purchase an EV, up from 17 percent in 2025, while only 16 percent plan to acquire one within the coming year.

Persistent operational anxieties continue to overshadow the market. Battery durability and replacement costs trouble 55 percent of respondents, half worry about charging expenses and 44 percent express unease over range limitations and high sticker prices.

Infrastructure inadequacies further compound hesitancy, as 43 percent feel public charging stations remain insufficient and 41 percent are deterred by prolonged recharging times. Despite these barriers, 53 percent anticipate purchasing an EV within five years, while seven percent remain undecided.

Bridgestone is reinforcing its commitment through 'EV Ready' tyres like the Turanza 6, engineered for efficiency, safety and wear life across electric and combustion vehicles. These innovations align with the company's E8 Commitment and Ecology pillar, advancing sustainable tyre technologies and mobility solutions.

Drew Chapman, North Region Consumer Sales Director at Bridgestone, said, "Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly familiar sight on our roads, but our research shows that many drivers still have genuine questions and concerns about making the switch. While some of the barriers are gradually reducing, issues such as battery life, charging costs and infrastructure remain front of mind for many motorists. The industry has made significant progress, but it's clear there is still work to do in building confidence among consumers.

"Whether drivers are behind the wheel of an EV, hybrid or conventional vehicle, they want products they can trust. Our focus is on helping motorists get the very best from their vehicles today while supporting the mobility solutions of tomorrow."

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has secured its place in three major global ESG stock indexes, marking over two decades of sustained recognition in sustainable investing. The company’s inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series now extends to 22 consecutive years, while its presence in the FTSE JPX Blossom Japan Index has reached a 10th year and the Sector Relative Index a 5th year.

Developed and administered by FTSE Russell, a London Stock Exchange Group subsidiary, these benchmarks serve distinct investment purposes. The FTSE4Good Series is widely utilised by international investors as a reference for responsible portfolios. Meanwhile, the two Japan-specific indexes, designed to highlight domestic firms with exemplary ESG performance, have been adopted by the Government Pension Investment Fund to steer its own sustainable asset allocation.

Under the corporate sustainability motto of caring for the future, Yokohama Rubber continues to integrate social problem-solving into core business operations, thereby generating shared value. This longstanding index qualification reflects the firm’s consistent commitment to transparent governance, environmental stewardship and social responsibility, reinforcing its strategic focus on long-term value creation through ethical business conduct.

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Apollo Tyres Ltd has launched the Apollo Altrust Winter van tyre, a new addition to its commercial vehicle lineup engineered to deliver extended durability alongside reliable snow and wet-weather traction. Scheduled for European release in July 2026, this winter variant finalises the Altrust family, which already includes the popular summer and all-season iterations.

Developed entirely within Europe, the tyre achieves a top wet grip classification of ‘A’ and a noise rating of ‘B’ at 72 decibels. Offered in 15 size options across 15- to 17-inch rim diameters, the Altrust Winter is designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of vans and light commercial vehicles, including contemporary models such as the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter and IVECO Daily.

Superior handling on snow, ice and rain-soaked roads stems from several engineering innovations. A multi-pitch tread pattern optimises block sizing and spacing for consistent performance, while three-dimensional sipes enhance road biting capability. Additionally, the centre and shoulder lateral grooves have been strategically configured for swift water dispersal, which bolsters wet grip and lessens aquaplaning risks.

For fleet operators, longevity and reduced wear are critical to lowering total cost of ownership. Apollo’s research division formulated a compound with a balanced polymer-and-filler mix to boost abrasion resistance and curb material degradation. Reinforced shoulder tie-bars preserve a stable contact patch under heavy use, promoting even tread wear and sustaining all-weather effectiveness over the tyre’s lifespan. Noise management was also prioritised, with careful tuning of pitch sequences and shoulder block bridges to minimise acoustic output.

Udyan Ghai, Group Head – Marketing, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “Our research and development team in Enschede, The Netherlands, spent over two years exploring the needs of van owners and users, creating a winter van tyre that delivers an optimal balance of performance and value. They focused on those attributes that matter most to fleet operators and van drivers: safety, durability and low operating costs. We know that wet-weather performance is becoming increasingly important for operators across Europe, so we are particularly pleased to see the tyre secure an A rating for wet grip.”

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AI mobile data capture company Anyline has reported that approximately 15 percent of tyres inspected across United States during National Tire Safety Week, observed from 29 June to 5 July 2026, registered tread depths below the critical safety threshold of 3/32 of an inch. The analysis was derived from all professional-grade inspections conducted nationwide using the company’s TireBuddy application during that seven-day period.

Industry observers suggest the actual prevalence of unsafe tyres on American roads may be significantly higher, as motorists who voluntarily participate in inspection events typically exhibit greater safety awareness than the general driving population. This self-selection bias implies that the overall percentage of worn tyres among all vehicles likely exceeds the recorded figure.

The data emerges against a backdrop of approximately 11,000 annual tyre-related traffic incidents documented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, many of which involve tyres that showed no prior visible warning signs. National Tire Safety Week was established as an educational initiative to address this gap, given that gradual tread wear remains one of the most easily preventable contributors to highway accidents yet often goes unnoticed by drivers.

On 2 July 2026, Giti Tire collaborated with Anyline to host a complimentary inspection event at its North American headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. Participants received an artificial intelligence-powered tread measurement via the TireBuddy app alongside a pressure check, with both metrics compiled into a single visual report. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association advises motorists to conduct such evaluations at least once every two months.

William Estupinan, Vice President – Technical Service, Giti Tire, said, “We believe tyre maintenance education is most effective when it's personal. Providing drivers with a tread scan and air pressure reading for their own tyres brings tyre maintenance messages to life in a way that's meaningful and actionable.”

Christoph Braunsberger, CEO, Anyline, said, “Road safety is built from small, routine decisions and few are overlooked as tyre condition. National Tire Safety Week brings that risk into focus and reminds drivers how much a simple check can reveal. Our role is behind the scenes: giving the technicians who carry out inspections a more accurate, consistent way to measure tread depth. Precision like that is what safer roads are built on.”

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