As UK summers continue to break temperature records, the risk of heat-related vehicle incidents is rising fast, and whether it’s from overheated engines, tyre blowouts or EV battery fires, the impact of extreme temperatures on fleets is becoming more noticeable – and more dangerous.
But despite the growing heat-related risks, Egertons are built to respond, and with one of the largest and most diverse specialist recovery fleets in the country, our vehicles and technicians are equipped for whatever the summer throws at your fleet.
We’ve got the people, the tools and the specialist fleet vehicles to get the job done safely and quickly, and in this article, we take a closer look at exactly how our fleet vehicles make all the difference when the temperature soars.
The Heat Is On
With the summer of 2022 being one of the hottest on record as temperatures exceeded 40°C for the first time ever, the UK’s climate is very clearly changing, so much so that this high heat is no longer considered rare.
Now more than ever, heatwaves are pushing vehicles and infrastructure to their limits, and recent UK government data indicates that summer breakdowns are increasing year-on-year too, with common causes including overheating engines, tyre blowouts and alternator issues.
As well as this, electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to grow as well, with over with over 1 million EVs now on UK roads as of December 2024. This in turn makes risks associated with extreme heat more complex, as issues such as thermal runaway are brought to light as potential EV incidents.
How The Egertons Fleet Is Built for Heat-Related Challenges
With a robust fleet of over 300 vehicles strategically positioned across the country, Egertons is built to respond rapidly to the growing number of summer and heat-related incidents.
From overheated engines to tyre blowouts and EV battery fires, our services are tailored to tackle the rising risks brought on by extreme temperatures no matter how critical, and our goal is to be by your side within 45 minutes or less or receiving your initial call out.
At that point, our rapid response technicians, all trained to establish the most efficient way to resolve any incident, will deploy to the scene so you can be on your way quickly. And whether it’s by using our low loaders and airbag units, or rolling out our rotating and sliding cranes, we’ll assign the exact right incident support vehicles first time, which are capable of resolving any breakdown crisis.
In fact, we have the experience and expertise needed to rescue any size or type of vehicle from any incident or location in the UK, and with our trademark colours and branding, you won’t miss our vehicles arriving on the scene even during the bright summer sunshine.
The First Mover
Leading the way in vehicle safety innovation, our First Mover is specifically designed for moving high-risk vehicles such as those involved in EV battery fires or hazardous cargo spills.
This incident vehicle is especially critical during summer when the risk of EV thermal runaway events increases, as it enables our team to isolate, contain and remove dangerous vehicles without further risk to people or the environment.
Service Vans (With RDT)
Our service vans are an Egertons fleet staple, equipped for everyday roadside repairs of cars and light vans, but during the summer months, these vans are often deployed for overheating issues or minor faults caused by high temperatures.
Each van is fitted with a rapid deployment towing (RDT) system, so if repairs can’t be carried out safely on the roadside, we can recover the vehicle without delay and minimise the risk of any heat-related incident as quickly as possible.
Commercial Service Vans
Designed for larger vehicles, these long-wheelbase vans are stocked with tools for complex breakdowns involving HGVs and commercial vans, and in hot weather, they’re especially valuable for resolving issues such as coolant system failure, brake fade or electrical overheating in heavier vehicles.
Heavy Underlifts and Slidebeds
Summer breakdowns involving commercial vehicles can quickly lead to dangerous situations, particularly when tyre blowouts or engine failures happen on motorways.
To help, our heavy underlifts and slidebeds are equipped to recover larger vehicles safely and efficiently, and our slidebeds also feature spec lifts, allowing two vehicles to be recovered using one truck.
Low Loaders
When a vehicle has suffered major damage or has rolled over in hot weather, a low loader is often required to recover heavy trailers and vehicles that can’t be towed traditionally, and they’re a common sight in our summer operations due to the increased risk of instability in high temperatures.
Rotators
Primarily used for heavy-duty recovery after major incidents, rotators feature both a powerful underlift and crane, and in cases of rollover or road departure due to heat-related driver fatigue or mechanical failure, these vehicles can safely upright and remove large commercial vehicles from the roadside.
7.5-Tonne Slidebeds
Ideal for urban environments and lighter commercial vehicles, these trucks provide flexible recovery options in cities and towns where traffic and heat can create a perfect storm for breakdowns as they’re quick, reliable and capable of handling vehicles up to 12 tonnes.
Hiab Accident Units
Used in more serious situations, these units are fitted with a crane rather than a winch.
This gives us the ability to lift vehicles that are stuck or severely damaged – something which is particularly useful when excessive heat has caused critical failures or road surface deformation.
4×4 Recovery Vehicles
During summer heatwaves where road verges soften and roadside surfaces deteriorate, vehicles can get stuck in unusual or off-road locations, our 4x4s can navigate these areas easily, ensuring safe recovery with minimal disruption.
And Behind Every Recovery Vehicle, Is A Skilled Egertons Technician
Every recovery is only as good as the team behind it, and that’s why invest so heavily in technician training, with a particular focus on seasonal risks.
This means that our teams are trained to spot early signs of fire risk, understand how heat affects braking and fuel systems and work safely around EVs in high-temperature situations, and they’re also able to use tools such as real-time tracking, diagnostics and route planning tech to monitor conditions on the road and deploy the most suitable unit based on weather, vehicle type and location as well.
In other words, no matter the weather, heat or situation, our Egertons team will be right there when you need us most, to get you, your vehicle and your driver back on the road as soon and as safely as possible.
And it’s exactly that which makes us the preferred vehicle rescue and recovery operator for UK fleets, trusted to provide reliable and efficient service every time.