§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of tyres on vehicles he estimates are of energy efficient types, broken down by vehicle type. [169906]
§ Mr. JamiesonThere is no established definition or standard for energy efficient tyres. It is not possible, therefore, to estimate the proportion of energy efficient tyres currently being used on vehicles. We understand that tyres generally are becoming more energy efficient as manufacturers are incorporating energy efficient design features along with new technology. The major tyre manufacturers all sell a range of tyres, some of which are more energy efficient than others.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tyres have been purchased in each year since 1997, broken down by(a) size and (b) type. [169907]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe most recent information the Department for Transport has on the numbers of new tyres purchased as replacements in the United Kingdom for the years indicated is shown in the table. The data is grouped by vehicle type or use rather than by tyre size and tyre type due to the large number of sizes available in the marketplace currently. Data for 2003 is not yet available. Further information may be available from the trade associations: The British Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association and the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association.
Number of replacement tyres purchased in the United Kingdom Car tyres Utility vehicles and off road 4x4 Heavy vehicle tyres Tyres for other vehicles 1998 20,202,648 899,279 3,013,782 772,071 1999 19,593,786 1,026,430 2,712,016 820,698 2000 18,804,523 917,094 2,659,233 845,153 2001 20,663,690 946,271 3,260,337 187,174 2002 20,874,277 1,014,894 3,595,930 192,937
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much(a) energy efficient tyres and (b) normal tyres cost on average to purchase, broken down by size. [169909]
§ Mr. JamiesonAs stated in my earlier answer (ref 169906), there is no formal definition of an energy efficient tyre. However our information suggests that, for trucks, the more energy efficient tyres cost around 5 per cent. more than normal or low energy efficiency tyres. For passenger car tyres, we understand there is no significant difference in the costs between products from the same manufacturer.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 63W, on fuel efficient tyres, if he will estimate the reduction in emissions that would result from all freight vehicles switching to these tyres. [169910]
1396W
§ Mr. JamiesonIf all freight vehicles in the UK achieved a saving of 7 per cent. in fuel consumption, this would reduce emissions by around half a million tonnes of carbon. However, as I explained in my earlier answer (ref 169906), we do not know how many trucks are already fitted with he most energy efficient tyres so we cannot estimate the effect on emissions of all freight vehicles changing to use these types of tyres.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 63W, on fuel efficient tyres, what the average distance it is estimated these tyres will last; and what the figure for ordinary tyres is. [169911]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Department is not aware of any independently verified figures quantifying the difference in tyre life between more and less energy efficient tyres. As I stated in my answer of 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 63W, there is some evidence that the tread wear rate for current energy efficient tyres can be inferior to those of standard tyres. However, this is not quantified.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken to publicise the use of energy efficient tyres. [170018]
§ Mr. JamiesonAs I stated in my answer of 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 62-63W, through the TransportEnergy Best Practice programme, my Department has recently published a free leaflet describing trials of energy efficient tyres fitted to trucks. These trials have also been reported in the last two editions of the programme's free newsletter, "Freight Future", which is distributed to hauliers via trade journals.