A service designed to encourage crucial fleet safety checks by simplifying access to accurate tyre pressure assessment and inflation services, has been praised by the UK’s leading tyre safety champion, TyreSafe.

‘FleetFob’ by AIR-serv enables fleet operators to issue drivers with contactless fobs to access forecourt equipment that auto-calibrates tyre air pressure for accurate inflation. The fobs can also be used for wash and vacuum services.

The solution will be demonstrated on the AIR-serv stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC (20 April – 1 May).

Blending compliance, convenience, and cost-efficiency  

The service means drivers don’t need to worry about having cash or submitting expenses –thereby overcoming common inhibitors to conducting regular tyre pressure checks for company vehicles.

Additionally, fleet managers benefit from having just one monthly invoice and oversight of usage – saving a huge amount of time, reducing administrative overheads, and simplifying the financial management of vehicle maintenance.

Because AIR-serv has over 7,500 air (tyre inflation machines), jet wash and vacuum machines – the largest network of any provider – fobs can be used at supermarket and oil company branded forecourts across the UK, ensuring both convenience and safety for drivers.  

Safer tyres = safer roads  

With 28% of collisions known to be caused by mechanical issues attributed to either defective or under inflated tyres, and 190[1] people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on UK roads in 2023 as a result of tyre failure, the service has won the backing of safety campaigners.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair at TyreSafe, commented: “A key challenge for fleet managers, particularly with van fleets, is ensuring drivers regularly check tyre pressures when it requires personal expenditure. FleetFob removes this barrier, making it far more likely that vehicles will operate with correctly inflated tyres.

“This is crucial not only for road safety by maintaining optimal steering, cornering, and braking, but also for reducing uneven tyre wear, improving fuel economy, minimising the emission of harmful particulates, and enhancing overall ride comfort. This initiative is a significant step towards safer and more sustainable fleet operations.”

Keeping costs down, and brand standards up

Given that tyre pressure just 6 psi below recommended inflation can lead to a 3% increase in fuel consumption, simplifying pressure checks with FleetFob also presents other important benefits for fleet operators.

Xxxxx from xxxx commented: “Well maintained tyres aren’t just safer, they last longer and help our vehicles achieve optimal mpg. This means that as well as saving admin time by no longer having to process petty cash claims, FleetFob is helping us make cost and process efficiency gains elsewhere.

“It’s also reassuring to know that all AIR-serv equipped facilities are certified to the correct industry regulations – this gives us the confidence that our drivers will be safe wherever they choose to inflate, wash or vacuum.”

Additionally, because the contactless fobs can also be used for jet wash and internal valeting equipment, this encourages more regular cleaning – helping fleet operators maintain brand standards for highly-visible public facing assets.

Collaborative development of safety-focussed services

Clive Steel, AIR-serv CEO for UK and Europe, commented: “Our aim is always to provide equipment and services that help our customers and keep millions of people safe on the road. FleetFob, developed in collaboration with UK fleet operators, reflects this ethos.

“By making it easier for drivers to check and inflate their tyres, reducing the administrative burden on managers, and leveraging our extensive forecourt footprint to ensure the solution is practical for operators serving any UK region, we hope FleetFob will make a real difference.”

[1] The Department for Transport's latest "Reported Road Casualties Great Britain" report