It is not enough to simply inform the driver about the tire pressure. The driver is responsible for proper transportation and should concentrate on his core activity. Fleet management and scheduling must be included in the flow of information in order to initiate the necessary follow-up steps.
The main focus is on saving energy and fuel, increasing the service life of tires and avoiding accidents and downtime. Especially when using battery-powered electric vehicles, there is also the aspect of increased range and reduced charging times. And: every monetary gain is also a gain in sustainability.
Integrated TPMS: How much fuel can be saved?
A TPMS detects creeping pressure loss at an early stage and reports this to the driver, who can intervene immediately. If the TPMS is integrated into a telematics system, the dispatcher or fleet manager can also be informed of the pressure loss in real time. In this way, it is possible to react immediately and avoid unnecessary additional consumption. What does this mean in concrete terms? A tire pressure of just 0.5 bar below the target value increases fuel consumption by up to 3 percent.
For a typical articulated truck with a diesel consumption of 30 liters and an annual mileage of 120,000 kilometers and a diesel price of EUR 1.50 per liter, around 1,080 liters of diesel worth EUR 1,620 per year and vehicle can be saved.
To what extent do integrated TPMS extend the service life of tires?
Underinflated tires wear out more quickly and unevenly. Constant monitoring can extend the service life by 10 to 15 percent. A typical set of truck tires costs EUR 2,000 to 3,000. The savings from the longer service life therefore amount to EUR 200 to 450 per year and vehicle.
How can integrated TPMS increase safety?
Underinflated tires not only cause higher frictional resistance and fuel consumption, but in many cases also punctures due to rising tire temperatures. These, in turn, are the most frequent cause of truck breakdowns – high costs for towing, downtime and missed appointments are the usual consequences. The consequential costs of an unplanned truck breakdown due to a flat tire quickly add up to over 1,000 euros per incident.
Conclusion: Telematics-supported monitoring of tire pressure quickly pays for itself
It has become clear that TPMS integrated into a telematics system leads to real process improvements in the company. The investment in an integrated TPMS is around 500 to 1,000 euros per vehicle. Thanks to the savings described above, the system pays for itself within six to twelve months – depending on the mileage and area of application.