The benefits of retreading a tyre

An extra 15,000 Michelin tyres have been regrooved since the manufacturer launched its Four-Lives programme, giving both financial and environmental benefits. Regrooving a tyre costs roughly £25, takes about 20 minutes and increases its life by 25%. Hauliers who wish to regroove themselves will pay about £100 for the tool and can put staff on a training course.

Michelin says operators who regroove are able to take advantage of the phase when fuel consumption is at its lowest.

At its test track in Clermont-Ferrand last week it demonstrated this. Two identical Scania rigids were driven 62km one with new Energy tyres and the other with regrooved Energy tyres. The latter returned a gain of 1.94 litres per 100km - roughly an 8% improvement.

Under the Four-Lives scheme tyres are regrooved, retreaded and then regrooved again. The firm says as well as reducing fuel consumption, extending a tyre's life reduces the number produced.