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AutoStock gets approval in Canada's British Columbia

16 Oct '15

2 min read

Norwegian research-based company AutoSock AS, the provider of an Alternative Traction Device (ATD) for passenger and commercial vehicles, has announced that its use has now been granted approval in British Columbia.

In a press release, it said the announcement follows an amendment to the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act that changes the definition of “traction device” to include textile tyre covers such as the AutoSock patented textile cover for commercial vehicles, including medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

"We are pleased to see this amendment to the rules regarding traction devices in British Columbia,” said Bernt J. Rosli, CEO of AutoSock Operations AS. “Now, any truck or passenger vehicle can be fitted with AutoSock when traction devices are required by the province. For US and Canadian motor carriers that travel in British Columbia, this change in the Act means AutoSock can be used as a legal and cost effective traction device.”

AutoSock is currently the only company providing a wide range of textile traction devices for trucks and is the only named approved product in Washington and Colorado. The ATD can also be used in states that have no specific device exclusions when chain requirements are in effect.

“This is fantastic news for our US customers who travel into Canada,” said Chuck McGee, president of McGee Company, the US distributor for AutoSock. “The popularity of textile traction devices is rapidly increasing so it's nice to see the regulations keeping up with the trend.”

The AutoSock patented textile cover uses high-performance fibers and a specially designed surface pattern to maximize friction on snow and ice covered roads by making the total contact area exposed to dry friction as large as possible. The ATD can be installed in less than five minutes per wheel, minimizing a driver's exposure to weather and traffic, and at less than 5 lbs per pair provides a weight savings compared to a 50-lb set of traditional chains.

AutoSock is easy to store inside a cab or tool compartment, and unlike tyre chains, will not damage a vehicle's fenders and exposed brake lines while in use. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India