Halfords is rolling out 20 innovative vehicles into its mobile tyre fitting fleet, designed to operate with lithium-powered equipment.
Developed by Bri-Stor Systems, the vehicles utilise a high-capacity lithium battery to power onboard tyre-fitting equipment, effectively eliminating engine idling throughout the workday.
Rather than using the engine to power equipment, each tyre-fitting vehicle draws on an integrated, solid-state auxiliary power system with a high-density lithium battery storage that is recharged as the vehicle travels from job to job.
The new vehicles, equipped with Portable Power Technology’s Pro Energy Pack solution, have been launched after an extensive two-year trial. The test vehicles, which were used in city centres and urban environments, demonstrated a significant reduction in fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and harmful gases compared to traditional vehicles that rely on their engines to power onboard equipment.
When compared to vehicles driving the same distance in similar working environments, the Bri-Stor Systems tyre van delivered over 30% reduction in fuel consumption, with ensuing reductions in CO2 and noxious gas emissions. The results were achieved without the need to shoreline charge the battery, instead relying only on the vehicle driving between jobs to recharge the lithium energy storage.
The vehicles form part of Bri-Stor Systems’ Power360 strategy, designed to bring sustainable technologies to the fleet market in a way that delivers immediate operational improvements and cost savings.
Engine idling uses up to two litres of fuel per hour and produces over 5.26kg of CO2; eliminating it brings immediate, tangible benefits to fleets both in terms of carbon saving and fuel costs.
The technology not only provides the necessary stepping stone to combat emissions, but it also supports the transition to EV vehicles.
Andrew Goodwin, sales and marketing director at Bri-Stor Systems, explained: “Commercial fleet operators are already facing unprecedented challenges in moving towards electric vehicles and are now having to consider how ancillary equipment will be powered in a world without combustion engines and generators. What the Halfords initiative proves is that we have the capability and partnerships in place to deliver robust, sustainable solutions for the most demanding commercial operations.”
The vehicles will work from Halfords centres all over the UK and will also reduce maintenance costs by limiting the impact of engine idling on service internals and major component wear.
Karl Baker, director of operations at Halfords Mobile Expert, said: “This success story is testament to the collaboration between Halfords, Bri-Stor Systems and its supply chain partners. The truth is, delivering a greener, more sustainable fleet is an opportunity for us all and it can only be delivered if we share our ideas, ambitions and challenges. For us, indeed any fleet in the UK that relies heavily on engine-driven systems, should be looking at our trial as a significant moment for the mobile tyre industry. This is a watershed moment for Halfords and I am proud that we are contributing to the development of technologies that have the capability to make the world a better place.”
Bri-Stor’s sustainable approach to mobile tyre fitting also examined the whole-life cost and the lithium system is designed to be redeployed into a secondary life. Meanwhile, the introduction of real-time 4G remote monitoring software enables live access to check battery health, usage patterns, energy generation and consumption and diagnose any faults, without the need to send out an engineer.
Bri-Stor Systems has also made improvements in the design and location of the compressed air systems, eliminating condensation issues and increasing the tank capacity over its current fleet. Fitted with the Corghi tyre machine and balancer, supplied by Rema Tip Top and designed to accommodate a 24-inch wheel size, these systems can also be redeployed into a secondary life, which further promotes sustainability and supports the case for investment.
