Northern Ireland’s Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has significantly improved the efficiency of its 160-strong vehicle fleet, cutting CO² emissions by 27.7 tonnes over three years, thanks to its switch to Michelin tyres.
Since 2021, the council has equipped its vans and trucks exclusively with Michelin tyres, after previously using a mix of brands, and continues to work with the company through the UK Government’s CCS framework.
A council spokesperson said: “I think it’s the best thing we’ve ever done. Opting for Michelin tyres through the CCS guaranteed that we were engaging with a quality provider from the start. We’re now more than four years into our relationship, and by adopting a multi-life Michelin tyre policy for our HGVs, and the general improvement seen in the longevity of the tyres across our fleet, we’ve demonstrated strong lifecycle value, boosted efficiency and delivered sustainability savings.”
The council’s fleet includes 100 vans providing services from dog wardens to medical and welfare checks, as well as parks maintenance, and 60 HGVs, including 32-tonne hook loaders and 26-tonne refuse collection vehicles. The fleet operates 24/7 in all weather, with performance, safety, and compliance key priorities.
By adopting a multi-life policy for its truck tyres, the council regrooves them once tread depth reaches 3–4mm and retreads them at the Michelin factory in Stoke-on-Trent, extending the life of each casing. Between 2023 and 2025, this approach diverted 10.2 tonnes of waste from landfill, reduced raw material use by 13.2 tonnes, and cut CO² emissions by 27.7 tonnes.
The spokesperson added: “While premium tyres cost more upfront, there was a powerful value for money argument with retreads and significant qualitative benefits too. Our use of Michelin tyres has resulted in a reduction of the number of punctures we experience across the fleet each year. Fewer punctures mean less downtime and helps us deliver a timelier service. It also means our drivers are happier because their vehicles aren’t off the road.”
The council also uses Michelin Connected Fleet services to monitor fuel use, track harsh braking for driver coaching, enhance safety, and achieve further CO² reductions, while day-to-day tyre servicing is handled locally by Modern Tyres in Ballyclare.
The CCS framework provides local authorities with a transparent, trusted route to quality suppliers like Michelin, helping councils deliver better services, reduce costs, and meet sustainability goals.
