Scheduled coach operator Ember has praised the quality of and support for the Michelin tyres fitted exclusively to its 78-strong fleet of battery-electric Yutong vehicles.
Ember notes that a decision to go with Michelin was also based on the two businesses’ shared vision around the environment and sustainability. Ember has a base at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc in Dundee, where a pair of 2MW wind turbines generate power.
Head of Operations Andy Mason adds that for round-the-clock coach operation, reliability is the foremost concern. “We use our coaches more intensively than any other operator in the country,” he claims.
“We are a 24/7 business and these coaches will typically be out on the road almost around the clock. They come in and charge for 45-60 minutes, during which time they will also be cleaned, and then they are back out again.
“Because our utilisation is so high, it is imperative that we have long-lasting and reliable tyres on the vehicles, which is exactly what Michelin provides.”
The manufacturer supplies products direct to Ember. The operator’s in-house technicians then handle fitting and management of the tyres. All new coaches are also delivered with Michelin casings as original equipment.
A mixture of 295/80 R22.5 Michelin X Coach Z and X Multi Z 2s are used. Once original tyres on the rear axles have worn, Michelin X Coach D Remix fitments are used.
All tyres are regrooved in-house, extending life by around 25% while they are at their lowest rolling resistance, improving vehicle range, and reducing power consumption.
As part of the agreement, Michelin’s technical department carried out precise measurement of the axle loads on the TCe12 and GTe14 coaches to ensure that tyres run at optimal pressures.
An instructor from the Michelin Training and Information Centre also visited Ember at Dundee for an on-site session focused on regrooving and management of the tyres. That is described by Mr Mason as a “first-class” approach.
