The document (see link below) includes a chart, outlining each European country’s winter tyre regulations; the tyre maker says one of the key changes this year is that tyres bearing the Alpine symbol are more relevant in several countries.
Continental is now offering Alpine symbol-certified variants for all truck and bus tyres for steer and drive axle in sizes 17.5, 19.5 and 22.5in.
For safe driving with optimal traction even on damp or icy roads, Continental recommends fitting trucks and buses with winter tyres on steer and drive axles. Identified by the snowflake symbol on the tyre wall, this dedicated winter tyre range outperforms M+S tyres and also exceeds the requirements of the Alpine symbol certification, according to the tyre maker.
For winter tyres to carry the Alpine symbol, they have to prove suitability for winter use on snowy roads in a braking and traction comparison test.
Tyres marked with M+S (Mud + Snow) have a tread pattern or structure designed to deliver better performance than a standard tyre, but, as Continental points out, the M+S label is not subject to a defined test procedure.