The current UN-ECE-R-141 regulations, which came into force on 6 July 2022, already require tyre temperature and pressure sensors on new lorries, semi-trailers, and trailers. The new requirement will apply to vehicles in categories M2, M3, N1, N2, N3, O3 and O4 with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
These systems can measure tyre pressure indirectly by means of an algorithm based on wheel revolutions or directly by means of sensors mounted on the rim, valve or tyre itself. If tyre pressure deviates by more than 20% from the recommended level or falls below 150 kPa, a warning must appear on the vehicle's dashboard within 60 minutes of driving.
In passing the law, the European Commission expected the new equipment to improve road safety and reduce costs for hauliers. Driving on under-inflated tyres leads to faster tread wear and higher fuel consumption. In addition, the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) estimates that maintaining the correct tyre pressure can reduce the number of speed-related accidents and tyre bursts by 4-20%.
According to ETRMA, European lorries drive 40-65% of the time with under-inflated tyres and another 10% with severely under-inflated tyres.
Source: trans.info
