TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) are no longer a niche topic. Clear legal requirements are also contributing to their increasing establishment as standard technology in commercial vehicle fleets. The most important legal basis for tire pressure monitoring systems in the EU is the UNECE R141 regulation, developed within the framework of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). This regulation mandates TPMS for certain vehicle classes to improve road safety and reduce fuel consumption through optimal tire pressure.
What does UNECE R141 include?
- Mandatory equipment for new vehicle types: Since November 2014, all newly type-approved passenger cars (M1) must be equipped with a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System). This regulation also applies to light commercial vehicles (N1) up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.
- Extension to heavy commercial vehicles: Since July 2022, the TPMS requirement has also applied to newly type-approved heavy commercial vehicles (trucks of classes N2 and N3) and trailers (O3 and O4). A transition period until July 2024 applied to all new registrations of these classes – since then, these vehicles must also be equipped with TPMS as standard.
- System requirements: TPMS must be able to detect pressure losses in real time and warn the driver. The tolerance threshold is typically a pressure loss of 20 percent or more.
What changes and expansions to the regulations are planned?
- TPMS mandatory for trailers with telematics connectivity: The EU is discussing making TPMS mandatory for certain types of trailers, especially those equipped with telematics systems. The aim is better integration into fleet management and maintenance.
- Standardization of interfaces and data transmission: In the future, TPMS data will be increasingly integrated into vehicle and fleet communication via standardized interfaces (for example, ISO 11992). This primarily concerns combinations of tractor units and trailers.
- Expansion to include older vehicles as part of road safety policy: Even if there is currently no obligation to retrofit, new incentives or regulations for the retrofit of TPMS in older truck fleets could follow in the medium term.
To what extent have the regulations already been implemented?
In the van and light commercial vehicle sector (class N1 up to 3.5 t), these systems are usually factory-installed, but predominantly as indirect TPMS (iTPMS). These solutions use ABS or ESP sensors to detect changes in tire pressure. Instead of direct pressure sensors in each tire, iTPMS analyzes wheel speeds and their changes to infer pressure loss.
In the N2 class, i.e., for medium-duty commercial vehicles with a permissible gross vehicle weight of 3.5 to 12 tons, many manufacturers equip their new vehicles with direct TPMS as standard, which measures the actual pressure via a sensor. Interest in these systems is increasing, particularly in municipal applications and for delivery services with an urban focus.
TPMS is becoming increasingly common in heavy trucks with a permissible gross vehicle weight exceeding 12 tons (class N3) – driven by legal requirements, but also by the desire for cost reduction in the transport industry. Many OEMs now offer these systems as an option or standard equipment.
TPMS is also becoming increasingly popular in classes O3 and O4 (semi-trailers and trailers). Tire damage on trailers often goes unnoticed, and some trailer manufacturers have already integrated their own TPMS solutions. These are frequently linked to braking systems or telematics modules.
Conclusion: Tire pressure monitoring systems are becoming standard
Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are becoming increasingly common in new vehicles. The advantages in terms of road safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency clearly outweigh the additional costs. Given the European Union’s ambitious „Fit for 55“ climate package, an expansion of legal requirements is expected. In the future, it may be necessary to retrofit older vehicles with TPMS.