Goodyear White Paper reveals: Regulators should play an even more important role in driving the future of the road transport industry

Recommendations to policy makers include incentives for greener fleets and promotion of the EU tyre label

Goodyear launches its White Paper “Mobility of the Future: Smart Fleets and the Future of the Transport Industry” at the company´s transport industry symposium in Brussels.  The key finding of the report is that regulators could be even more instrumental in driving the future of the road transport industry.  The Goodyear White Paper includes new research results and provides actionable recommendations to European and national policy makers such as clearer incentives to establish fuel efficient fleets and further promotion of the EU tyre label to help maximising their potential.

Goodyear research shows that fleet managers believe that regulators play an important role in driving the future of the road transport industry. 53% of fleet managers favour more incentives for environmentally–friendly fleets, and 60% favour incentives for buying fuel-efficient tyres.  One in ten (11%) fleet managers cite the impact of regulations as one of the top two challenges facing the road industry as a whole.  Almost three in four (74%) fleet managers believe that reducing fuel taxes would have a positive impact on the road freight industry, and a further 72% support investment in the road network.

Other key findings of the White Paper “Mobility of the Future: Smart Fleets and the Future of the Transport Industry” include:

• Four in ten (40%) of fleet managers still cite rising fuel costs as their greatest concern;
• To tackle the rising cost of fuel, almost all (92%) fleet managers say they measure their fleets’ fuel consumption;
• Two thirds (66%) of fleet managers who use telematics also pass relevant information onto their drivers to help them improve the efficiency of their driving;
• Hiring and retaining of skilled drivers is also a top concern for fleet managers, with one quarter (25%) citing this as their greatest or second greatest concern.

“Our research shows that the road freight industry is willing to become even more sustainable.  It clearly points out that fleets are already investing in technologies reducing fuel consumption and need further support from European and national regulators.  Our White Paper provides actionable recommendations how the institutions can help the transport industry to drive a sustainable future,” said Michel Rzonzef, Vice President of the Commercial Business Unit for Goodyear Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Goodyear launched its White Paper during its second transport industry symposium in Brussels, focusing on the future of the road haulage industry.  During the symposium solutions for achieving a sustainable freight industry were discussed, both through the role of regulation and vehicle technology.

Recommendations towards European legislators:

• Incentives for fuel efficient fleets;
• Promotion of the EU tyre label;
• Mandatory Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) for new commercial vehicles to enhance fuel efficiency;
• Clarity on reforms to rules related to weights and dimensions of commercial vehicles;
• Further guidelines on cross-border operations of larger vehicles;
• More support to make the most from new telematics technology like harmonised standards for telematics;
• Extra support from regulators to the road fleet sector to attract and retain skilled drivers.

“We looked at the future of the industry through the eyes of the fleets focusing on creating efficiency, innovation and dialog. We are proud to offer analysis of both the challenges and solutions.  I am confident together, we can achieve the efficiency the industry needs. Goodyear is committed to play its role in driving a sustainable future for the transport industry,” said Darren Wells, President Goodyear Europe Middle East and Africa, in his speech.

The symposium brought together high level representatives from European Union institutions, industry and academia including João Aguiar Machado, Director General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, to discuss the findings of the Goodyear White Paper and the future of the transport industry.

Goodyear’s Mobility of the Future symposium was the second of its nature, and highlighted the company´s continued support to fleets, the industry and regulators, as well as its continued commitment to its role as a key player in the transport industry.