Two identical Volvo V40 D2 hatchbacks – one on standard tyres and another on winter tyres – were driven by an amateur driver at the Tamworth Snowdome to see if either one could be driven to the snowy summit.

The test was then repeated using snow socks – a low cost, temporary alternative to a full set of winter tyres – to see if they could improve the performance of standard tyres in slippery conditions.

The results showed that while standard rubber reached a distance of just five metres, the winter tyres carried the V40 comfortably past the 100-metre marker and onwards towards the summit of the slope. The winter tyres’ softer rubber compound gripped the surface far more effectively, retaining stability and traction, and boosting driver confidence that the car was able to cope with the conditions.

Meanwhile, the fabric snow socks, which can be fitted in a couple of minutes, transformed the standard tyres’ performance and enabled the V40 to cruise up the slope with relative ease.

Nick Connor, Volvo Car UK managing director said: ‘We wanted to demonstrate, in the most severe conditions possible, the effectiveness of having winter tyres or snow socks fitted to your car. There’s definitely a degree of scepticism out there about how useful they can be, but this test dispels the myths once and for all.

‘Fleet managers looking to safeguard their drivers and other road users should definitely consider educating their company car drivers about winter tyres and snow socks. Not only could it keep their business moving when others get stranded in the snow, it could also save lives.’

Winter tyres are at their most effective when temperatures drop below seven degrees, markedly higher than the average temperature of 3.3 degrees that the Met Office recorded from December 2012 to February 2013.

Snow socks are available at participating authorised Volvo repairers for £55 and a set of four winter wheels and tyres start from £600.

Watch the video here.