DPD UK is trialling a new delivery vehicle tyre that is designed to reduce the amount of tyre particulate matter and micro plastics emissions.

Tyre innovators ENSO have designed a new tyre that is designed for electric vehicles. Made of fossil fuels, traditional tyres emit more airborne particulate matter than diesel tailpipes. They also emit microplastics, of which they are believed to contribute 28% of all ocean microplastics. Where electric vehicles are concerned, due to the added weight of the vehicles and increased torque from the motors, tyre particulate matter emissions are increased significantly.

The trial is part of the London FreightLab Innovation Challenge, a challenge supported by Transport for London (TfL) to tackle London’s air pollution problems. The new ENSO tyres are designed ton significantly increase energy efficiency of the vehicles using them as well as reducing both air and microplastic pollution.

DPD UK is to live test the new tyres on its Nissan e-NV200 electric vans and to compare wear and energy efficiency with industry benchmarks. The vehicles will be tested out of its two zero-emissions depots at Westminster and Hyde Park.

DPD UK’s Head of CSR, Olly Craughan, commented: “Rather than just simply buying EVs, our whole approach to sustainability is about joining the dots and working with like-minded innovators to help solve the big challenges like air pollution.  Through our involvement in London FreightLab we got to know ENSO and understand their vision.  While EVs are the future, unless we also solve the problem of tyre PM pollution, we aren’t really unlocking their full potential.”  

“This trial is an important step for us and another industry first.  ENSO’s approach fits perfectly with our vision to deliver green to 25 towns and cities by 2025 and we are really keen to see how their tyres perform on our EV fleet.” 

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, ENSO Founder and CEO said: “ENSO’s innovative EV tyres are designed to be EV-range-extending and PM-pollution-reducing, and through TFL’s London FreightLab trial with DPD, we will demonstrate their importance in reducing air-pollution in London.” 

“ENSO’s mission is to disrupt the £200billion global tyre industry and deliver the most efficient, durable and sustainable tyres for EVs.  By developing better EV tyres, we can reduce pollution and carbon emissions in line with the UK, and indeed global commitments, to reach Net-Zero.”  

“Ultra-low energy consumption per mile means that our EV tyres not only save cost and electricity but also improve vehicle operations while dramatically extending EV-range, moving the tyre industry truly into the electric age.” 

Rikesh Shah, TfL’s Head of Commercial Innovation, said: ‘We’re really excited that our London FreightLab Innovation Challenge has helped to produce this partnership between DPD and ENSO, which is helping us to explore how to make tyres more sustainable, durable and efficient.” 

“London FreightLab is a completely new way of looking at freight for TfL and it is fantastic to see innovative products such as EV-tyres in action on the capital’s streets, helping to extend the life of tyres on electric vehicles, which are a vital part of reducing air pollution in London.”