Michelin is introducing a fuel-saving programme for truck operators, offering a money-back guarantee if those savings do not materialise.
Called Effifuel, it comes from a new Michelin subsidiary called Michelin Solutions. Franck Estoquié, marketing director at Michelin Solutions said the subsidiary was nothing to do with selling tyres.
“We are dedicated to improving fleet efficiency and profit margin,” he said.
Effifuel is aimed at fleets with over 200 vehicles but Michelin may consider fleets of 100+ vehicles too.
If initial discussions suggest Effifuel has potential for fuel savings, Michelin will fit telematics equipment to 10% of the fleet to collect data, chiefly about driving behaviour, during a three-month ‘initialisation’ period.
If this confirms there is sufficient scope for economy gains, Michelin and the operator will agree a fuel consumption improvement target, measured in litres/100km.
Contractual agreement
Michelin wants a contractual agreement of three to five years. This covers fitting telematics and tyre-pressure monitoring systems to all vehicles, driver training and economy scoring, fuel reports and analysis and the introduction of a pence per kilometre (PPK) tyre contract. “Michelin supports the original investment and covers the costs and takes the risk,” says Estoquié, “but we share the benefits.”
In addition to the usual PPK costs, the operator pays a monthly ‘technical fee’ for each vehicle in the Effifuel programme, plus a ‘viable gain fee.’ Fuel savings should be greater than the total of these fees and Michelin’s expenditure, so both parties benefit.
“If the jointly set goal is met, we share the gains. If it is not, Michelin Solutions reimburses a portion of the expenses incurred on a pro rata basis,” said Estoquié.
Effifuel is rolling out across 21 European countries, including the UK.
Fuel data analysis is in-house, but the company is partnering with electronic data company Atos Worldline for the telematics and using external driver trainers.
