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Tag: lorry tyres

Fleet Panel Pushes for Sustainability

Posted on by David Priestman

Members of the Michelin Fleet Panel have called for the industry to accelerate progress towards more sustainable tyres and improve support for fleet managers transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs).

The panel, comprising representatives from some of the UK’s biggest leasing, fleet management and rental companies, as well as several major end-user fleets, addressed a series of industry challenges at a meeting held at the Wakefield site of Aston Barclay, the independent remarketing group and vehicle auction house.

Chairing the Michelin Fleet Panel, Martin Thompson, Michelin’s Brand Manager UK & Ireland, briefed the panel on the manufacturer’s target of using 100 per cent sustainable materials in its tyres by 2050, and 40 per cent by 2030, and urged the industry to make quicker progress in reducing the environmental impacts of tyres.

He also reinforced the importance of extracting the full performance out of every tyre, saying: “It’s vitally important we better educate fleet managers and customers about how to avoid unnecessary raw material wastage, specifically that it is safe to use tyres down to the 1.6mm legal tread depth limit.”

Some panel members called for the industry to put a greater focus on analysing tyre wear on EVs, saying the current lack of data was making it difficult to make informed buying decisions.

Thompson said: “Leasing and rental companies want to be able to communicate that data to their customers so they can speed up their transition to EVs. Michelin is manufacturing tyres specifically for EVs to help with tyre wear and battery range, and that’s a message we are communicating more widely.”

Lorna McAtear, Head of Fleet at National Grid, who manages 9,000 vehicles, including 1,500 EVs, said the industry needed to tackle some myths around EVs. “There are some misconceptions that all tyres wear out quicker on EVs. The industry needs to deliver clearer messaging to ensure people have the best performing and safest tyres on their EVs, and that they don’t cost more than tyres for internal combustion-engined vehicles.”

She added: “It was an excellent panel for learning about the innovations in tyre developments being driven by Michelin and its partners. I was reassured that they are working hard on sustainability and going in the right direction.”

At the first meeting of the Michelin Fleet Panel since the pandemic, Michelin representatives and its partners, including Canopy Simulations and MICHELIN Connected Fleet, gave presentations of their work towards more sustainable mobility, whilst ProovStation provided a live demonstration of its AI-powered inspection scanner. Aston Barclay is the first company in the UK to install the technology, deploying the system to quickly and accurately appraise vehicles ahead of auction.

Matt Childs, Marketing Manager at MICHELIN Connected Fleet, said the next generation of drivers and decision-makers are increasingly aware of sustainability and vote with their wallets on what, where and who they work with. “With connected fleet management solutions, this is an opportunity rather than a challenge. Turning the data into actions can help fleets operate more efficiently and unlock savings,” he added.

Sean Russell, Chief Marketing Officer at Aston Barclay, said: “It was a pleasure to host the Michelin Fleet Panel, which was a fabulous knowledge sharing and networking event. We received some excellent feedback and we look forward to collaborating with our partners again in the future.”

The Michelin Fleet Panel has been meeting for more than 20 years; membership is voluntary and participants are not required to be Michelin customers.

Ringtread Tyre Hits ‘A’ in Energy Saving

Posted on by David Priestman

Marangoni is proud to announce that it has manufactured a Ringtread tyre that achieved an ‘A’ class energy saving level in the same test used for new tyres (ECE.R 117). The significant result, achieved using a special Blackline ring, was certified by the Prüflabor Nord laboratory carrying out the same test used for new tyres.

This amazing result was achieved by applying a Blackline tread ring with an optimised design for low rolling resistance on a high quality casing, which featured the best rolling resistance class already in its first life. Retreading took place at MARANGONI’s plant in Rovereto, Italy, where the group’s headquarters and R&D centre are also located.

The ring used for this test was manufactured by MARANGONI using a special compound created ad hoc for the occasion. This pivotal element, combined with the specific performance features of the Blackline RTL FE tread pattern and the peculiarities offered by the RINGTREAD System (first and foremost no splices and no structural deformation), made it possible to create a retreaded tyre capable of achieving “A” class rolling resistance according to the same standards used for new tyres.

The result of the test, carried out by the independent test laboratory Prüflabor Nord, has met with a very positive response from industry experts, as few new tyres can boast such a satisfactory result.

Vittorio Marangoni, Chairman of the MARANGONI Group, stated: “This important achievement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing innovative solutions that curb environmental impact, even in the use phase, without undermining performance. It is further evidence that by implementing high quality standards, the retreaded tyre can perform at the level of the best new tyres.”

The announcement was made in advance to visitors at Transport Logistic, on the occasion of MARANGONI’s first participation in the leading European logistics event, which took place from 9 to 12 May in Munich. The novelty attracted great interest from the public, given the increasing focus of fleets on reducing energy costs.

Vittorio Marangoni concluded with these words: “We will continue to invest in research and development of advanced technologies in the tyre retreading industry. We want to offer end users products that combine high performance with an increasingly smaller environmental footprint. This achievement further spurs us on in our commitment to promoting environmentally friendly, high-performance and state-of-the-art solutions.”

 

Lorry Tyre Trial Unlocks Sustainability Improvements

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A major temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, Lineage Logistics, LLC, has awarded Michelin’s Services & Solutions team a five-year tyre management agreement covering its UK fleet after back-to-back tyre trials highlighted a range of sustainability improvements could be unlocked with a change in policy.

The trial, which took place using a pair of identical vehicles operating out of Lineage’s Heywood site, saw Michelin’s regional tread pattern tyres outperform the company’s current policy, delivering a substantial improvement in fuel economy. When rolled out across Lineage’s fleet in the UK, Michelin tyres will help to reduce emissions, whilst the projected longer tyre life will cut raw material usage and create less waste, something which is important for the business.

Lineage will now move to Michelin’s X Multi tyres across its regional fleet of more than 400 commercial vehicle assets in the UK, which includes 304 trailers, 121 tractor units and 16 rigids.
Tyre fitting and associated maintenance will be carried out via the Michelin Service Pro network. This will see Quinton Tyres handle all vehicles based at the company’s Heywood headquarters, with Tructyre looking after its 12 other sites nationally.

Will Maycock, Director of Transport at Lineage, says: “As a business we are constantly taking steps to minimise our environmental impact and Michelin has been able to contribute to this through both tyre selection and a commitment from its service partners to maximising the life of every single tyre casing in the fleet. We were very impressed by the results from the trials, which clearly demonstrated the outstanding efficiency of the Michelin product for our trucks and trailers. The projected fuel savings and sustainability improvements were notable, particularly when multiplied across the UK fleet, and it was compelling to see the results through our own telematics systems on our own trucks.”

Commenting on the additional benefits of the switch to Michelin, he adds: “With the new policy we are projected to be fitting fewer tyres over the course of a year, which will help to further reduce our waste and CO2 emissions. We’re also looking forward to seeing results in terms of improved dealer service levels, vehicle availability and compliance as this progresses.”

All tyres will follow a multi-life policy including regrooving and retreading, making sure to extract the maximum performance from every tyre in the fleet. Skilled Quinton Tyres and Tructyre technicians will regroove worn tyres once the tread depth reaches 3-4mm, extending each tyre’s life by around 25 per cent in its most fuel-efficient state. Once the regrooved tyres have worn they will be retreaded at the Michelin Remix plant in Stoke; a process which doubles the Michelin casing lifespan, saves natural resources and supports local UK manufacturing.

Andrew French, Director, Michelin Services & Solutions, says: “Sustainability is a core focus for both Michelin and Lineage, and a key driver in this new long-term partnership. We are delighted that we can help Lineage take positive steps towards achieving its environmental ambitions. As a business we have a commitment to building a circular economy; by minimising the input of raw materials, maximising the use of all materials whilst in use and successfully managing an environmentally friendly end of life process.”

Lineage is the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider. Lineage’s expertise in end-to-end logistical solutions, its real estate network, and its use of technology combine to promote food safety, increase distribution efficiency, advance sustainability, lessen environmental impact, and minimize supply chain waste. As a result, Lineage helps customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small family-owned businesses increase the efficiency and protect the integrity of their temperature-controlled supply chain.

Volvo Selects Michelin for Record-breaking Road Tests

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Michelin says tyres from its X Line Energy range – designed for fleets seeking the lowest possible carbon footprint – were fitted to two Volvo trucks which have set new fuel efficiency records on demanding press road tests in the UK.

Earlier this month the next generation 4×2 Volvo FM 420, operating with a tri-axle trailer at 40-tonnes, averaged 10.31mpg around Commercial Motor’s 760km road test route. This followed less than 12 months after a 6×2 Volvo FH 460 with I-Save set a new record of 9.49mpg at 44-tonnes. Both tractor units were specified with Globetrotter sleeper cabs and tyres from Michelin’s most fuel-efficient range. The FM rode on 355/50 R22.5 X Line Energy Z (steer) and 295/60 R22.5 X Line Energy D (drive) tyres, whilst the FH with I-Save was equipped with 385/55 R22.5 X Line Energy F (steer & mid axle) and 315/70 R22.5 X Line Energy D (drive) tyres.

Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media, Truck Demonstration & Driver Development at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, says: “In the minds of most customers, fuel is everything. We’ve pioneered world-leading technologies and fuel saving strategies that can make a huge difference to a fleet’s bottom line, but you also need the right tyres to help squeeze the most out of every drop. Michelin X Line Energy tyres have become my default choice for our long-haul demo fleet as they help us to drive further on less fuel. Plus they match this with impressive safety, handling and durability.”

Chris Smith, Managing Director of Michelin UK, says: “Manufacturers such as Volvo Trucks hold a wealth of data on vehicle performance in different configurations, so it’s a huge compliment to see our tyres being repeatedly chosen for their demonstration fleet.”

Michelin X Line Energy tyres are designed specifically for trucks and coaches used on long-distance routes, and where the majority of time is spent travelling at sustained high average speeds. They are the product of Michelin’s continued investment of more than €600m in research and development every year, which has helped to push the limits of rolling resistance even further and unlock greater sustainability benefits for customers. The test took place using a standard tri-axle curtainside trailer, supplied by Dawsongroup. It ran over a set route which runs from Nuneaton up the M6, crossing the country close to the border with Scotland on local roads, before returning south on the M1. The route covers 494km of motorway, 121km of severe gradients and 145km of trunk roads.

The Volvo FM broke Commercial Motor’s previous 40-tonne record of 8.6mpg, set in 2008, despite today’s speed limits allowing the overall average speed to rise from 69.6kph to 74.9kph, while emissions have also improved from Euro-5 to the latest Euro-6 Step D standard. The Volvo FH with I-Save beat the previous 44-tonne record of 8.65mpg, which had been set in 2017.
https://business.michelin.co.uk/

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