Commercial vehicle tyres: It doesn't always have to be new

Commercial vehicle tyres are a major cost factor in the fleets of transport companies and shipping agents. Although they only account for around five per cent of a truck's total operating costs (source: Michelin), they do influence fuel consumption as well as maintenance and repair costs. Factors such as rolling resistance and tyre mileage are important here. In this context, effective tyre management is a key factor in the total operating costs of a truck fleet.

Does this mean that retreaded tyres do not need to be considered when equipping vehicles? No. Retreaded tyres are an integral part of most fleets and there are a number of reasons for this:

• Cost advantage: retreaded tyres are between 30 and 50 per cent cheaper than new tyres because the carcass – the basic structure of the tyre – is reused.
• Sustainability: Compared to new tyres, retreaded tyres save up to 70 percent of the rubber and steel raw materials used in their production. In addition, they generate up to 80 percent fewer CO₂ emissions during production.
  State funding: Not least for this reason, the EU promotes the retreading of tyres as an environmentally friendly alternative.
• Quality: modern processes such as hot or cold retreading, as well as strict testing criteria, ensure that retreaded commercial vehicle tyres perform reliably. Premium manufacturers such as Michelin and Continental also offer retreaded tyres with a guarantee.
• Safety reserves: Certified manufacturers use modern processes that meet the relevant standards, such as UN/ECE Regulation 109 (retreaded tyres for commercial vehicles and their trailers). Incidentally, even aircraft tyres are retreaded multiple times.

Despite all the advantages of retreaded tyres, there are also a few disadvantages that need to be considered. The following arguments speak against retreaded truck tyres:

• Not suitable for all applications: on the steering axle, new tyres are often the better choice, as they offer maximum precision and stability. The same applies to high-speed and long-distance transport. Some hauliers prefer to use new tyres for these applications because of their lower rolling resistance.
• Shorter lifespan: Retreaded tyres may offer a lower mileage than premium new tyres, as they have already covered a wear interval.
• Quality can vary: High-quality retreads are safe and durable – but lesser-known suppliers or old carcasses pose risks.

Conclusion: retreaded tyres are suitable as an economical and sustainable alternative without reservations for trailer and drive axles. Here, the tyres are subject to a smaller steering angle, which reduces wear and makes retreading more efficient. On steering axles and for high-performance applications, however, new tyres are the better choice. In practice, many companies therefore use a mixture of both variants and thus drive economically and safely at the same time.