UK forecourts saw an 8% increase in tyre inflation equipment usage in March 2026, with rising fuel prices prompting drivers and businesses to focus on practical ways to reduce running costs.
The increase, identified through analysis of AIR-serv’s air machine data, points to growing awareness of tyre pressure as one of the simplest ways to improve fuel efficiency and reduce unnecessary vehicle operating costs. Especially for fleet operators.
AIR-serv manages the largest network of forecourt service equipment of any provider, with over 10,000 air, jet wash and vacuum machines installed across the UK, and over 23,000 across Europe.
Using RAC diesel price data for the end of March 2026, filling the standard 55-litre tank of a Ford Transit cost just under £100. With TyreSafe estimating a 3% fuel-efficiency penalty from tyres that are 20% underinflated, proper tyre maintenance could help each van travel further between fill-ups, with cumulative savings becoming very significant at fleet level.
Alongside fuel economy benefits, correct tyre pressure also supports road safety, helping maintain grip, braking performance and tyre condition – all important considerations for employers with duty-of-care responsibilities.
Gordon Balmer, from the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “This is interesting data from AIR-serv as it shows the message is starting to get across that correct tyre pressure and fuel economy go hand in hand. Equally important for road safety, underinflated tyres can affect handling, braking distances and tyre wear, making regular checks one of the simplest and most effective habits drivers can adopt.”
Richard Sweet, UK sales and marketing director at AIR-serv, commented: “It makes sense we are seeing AIR machine usage increase at present, and not just in the UK. In France, for example, March transactions were 17% higher than the previous year as motorists look for ways to make fuel go further. Global events may dictate the price of fuel, but there are proactive things – like air pressure checks – that will ensure a tank lasts as long as possible.”
For fleet operators looking to make routine checks easier to manage, AIR-serv also offers solutions such as FleetFob, which allows authorised drivers to access tyre inflation equipment quickly while helping standardise accurate pressure checks across multiple vehicles.