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COMPANY NEWS
fleets’ efforts to reduce fuel costs are in tune with the European Union´s green agenda.
As fleets are investing in the future, they are eager for the European Union to play its role in supporting the industry. Given the impact of road conditions on fleet efficiency, 72% of respondents wanted to see more investment in road maintenance and the development of the road network. This figure was highest in Benelux (89%), Poland (89%) and the UK (84%) and lowest in Germany (45%). Meanwhile, over half of fleets would welcome incentives for greener vehicles and for fleets investing in
aerodynamics and fuel-efficient tyres (60%). There is also support for allowing larger and heavier trucks across Europe (47% agree – although predictably this figure is a much higher 69% in the Benelux but only 44% in the UK). France, having shown itself to be particularly concerned about fuel efficiency has the lowest number of respondents looking to increase truck size at only 28%. Overwhelmingly 68% of the road freight industry said it wanted to see more harmonisation of regulations, particularly in the area of winter tyres, where there is little consensus on what a winter tyre actually is.
As the new European Parliament plans its agenda for the next four years, it is vital that Members of the European
challenges facing Europe’s road freight industry. It is vital that the regulatory regime supports fleets to become ever more sustainable”, said Michel Rzonzef, Vice President Commercial Tyres at Goodyear Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The insights gathered from our survey will provide the basis of a substantive White Paper which Goodyear will launch at a major symposium on 14th October 2014 in Brussels. We are looking forward to sharing our findings and recommendations with legislators, fleet managers and the wider industry at this event.”
Goodyear’s upcoming symposium on the future of mobility follows on from its event in 2012, which focused on fuel-efficiency. This year’s symposium will bring together key policy makers from across Europe as well as leading industry figures and fleets. The
Parliament, together with the European Commission, look at how they can continue to support the road freight industr y.
“Our survey indicates that far from objecting to the European Union´s approach to reducing carbon emissions, the industry understands the need to become even more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. As the newly elected European Parliament and College of European Commissioners convenes, we will be drawing their attention to the major
2014 research builds on Goodyear’s long-term commitment to invest in clear insights from data and new thinking to help shape the future of road transportation in Europe.
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