A third of van fleet operators do not have a formal tyre policy and are at risk of paying over the odds for their tyres, according to ATS Euromaster.

It warns that LCV tyres should not be considered a low cost option, as the operational tyre costs of running a modern van fleet are no longer that far removed from that of a fleet of trucks.

Fleets without a tyre policy risk paying more for their tyres as standardising on one brand can often enable a better fleet discount.

An expertly managed policy also has the potential to save businesses huge amounts in running costs, through maximising the longevity, safety, performance and fuel-efficiency of each asset.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) conducted the survey with its members, in conjunction with Van Excellence industry partner ATS Euromaster.

Simon Tattersall, head of national accounts at ATS Euromaster, said: “The results highlighted that there are still a significant number of van fleets missing out on potentially valuable savings to their bottom line.

“A comprehensive policy, where regular inspections are carried out by experienced technicians, allows tyres to be closely monitored. This helps to guard against unexpected downtime and ensures replacements are fitted at the optimal time.”

Mark Cartwright, head of vans at FTA, said: “It's staggering to discover that so many don't have a tyre policy in place.

"Safety is at the core of everything Van Excellence stands for, and to us it makes common sense to introduce a policy similar to which ATS Euromaster offers.

"It not only can help save costs but most importantly improve safety standards.”

ATS Euromaster suggests rapid e-commerce growth and the need for deliveries to be made quickly to individual customers is leading to a rise in the number of fleets running vans.

In particular, truck operators are increasingly looking to amend the make-up of their vehicle parc to include more vans, which are easier to operate in a home delivery environment.

Tattersall said: “As numbers grow, the complexity of running a van operation increases and the process of fleet management becomes more akin to running trucks. Often vans must make timed deliveries, so having a fixed tyre policy in place is crucial to ensure productivity and uptime is maximised.”

ATS Euromaster will be demonstrating its van service, maintenance and repair skills on its stand at this year’s CV Show in Birmingham, which opens on April 29.

It will also be giving away its essential ’25 top tips’ guide, which recommends simple steps to help run van fleets operate more efficiently.

The guide will also be available to download here from 29 April.