Michelin says many motorists are changing their tyres too soon, and should only do so when they reach a tread depth of 1.6mm.
Premature tyre replacement remains a widespread issue, with 50% of tyres discarded before reaching a tread depth of 3mm, resulting in 400 million tyres wasted globally each year.
The French tyre maker has endorsed the new European Regulation R117-04, effective July 1, 2024, which mandates consistent performance of car tyres down to a tread depth of 1.6 mm.
This rule aims to enhance road safety, reduce environmental impact, and support consumer savings.
The regulation introduces rigorous wet-braking tests, ensuring worn tyres meet safety standards similar to new ones, including effective water displacement on wet roads.
Michelin emphasises designing tyres that maintain performance throughout their lifecycle.
The regulation could cut European tyre demand by 128 million units annually, reducing CO2 emissions by 6.6 million metric tons.
Global savings could reach 35 million metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the emissions of New York City over six months.
The initiative could also save European motorists €7 billion annually by extending tyre usage to the legal limit. Michelin continues to advocate consumer awareness of tyre performance as critical to safety and sustainability.
