JIUTEPEC, MOR.- 90% of the environmental impact of a tire occurs during its use , not at the end of its useful life, explained Juan Pablo Ríos y Valles Boysselle, vice president of B2B Sales for the Central America Region at Michelin , within the framework of the 3rd Meeting on Technology and Sustainable Mobility of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) .
Along these lines, he urged a rethinking of the tire procurement strategy beyond cost per kilometer (CPK), as this approach, he said, no longer meets the energy efficiency goals required by new sustainability standards.
Ríos y Valles Boysselle commented that purchasing decisions should currently be guided by a total operating cost model, which also considers the impact on fuel consumption.
In many cases, investing more in tires can translate into greater fuel savings . To achieve this, it’s essential to measure performance using telemetry data, considering factors such as tire pressure, balance, alignment, and rolling resistance.
He also warned about traceability in the final disposal of tires . He explained that, in practice, many fleets receive false recycling certificates and recalled the recent fire at a collection center in Nuevo León, where tires were stored, which resulted in an environmental emergency.
“Brands alone can’t do it. We need a responsible distribution network that guarantees the real recovery of this waste,” said Ríos y Valles Boysselle. He mentioned that Michelin and the National Chamber of the Rubber Industry are already working on an eco-organization to address this challenge.
On the institutional side, Gabriela de la Torre, representative of C40 , detailed the progress of pilot projects such as the first public charging center in Mexico City, part of a joint strategy with companies to promote the electrification of urban freight transport .
“Charging infrastructure is a barrier, but also an opportunity to operate more efficiently. We’re looking to scale this solution throughout the metropolitan area,” said Gabriela de la Torre.
Both speakers agreed that decarbonization cannot be limited to large investments or electric vehicles. From the type of tires to the driver’s rest conditions, there are everyday decisions that can make a difference.
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