Elite tyre trial kicks off on new fleet
Elite Transport Services is conducting an extensive tyre trial using its newly delivered fleet of 15 Volvo FH 480 6x2 tractor units, supplied on contract hire through MC Truck & Bus.
Ten vehicles have been specified with Michelin 'E' segment regional tyres (XZE2+ / XDE2+) and five with 'A' segment Energy tyres (XZA2 / XDA2), enabling the customer to closely monitor the difference in fuel economy before making a decision on whether to switch the entire fleet of 140 vehicles to a Michelin Energy policy.
"We trialled Michelin Energy tyres on a tractor unit and dedicated trailer in the fleet for the past 14 months and saw the average fuel economy increase from 7.99 to 8.55 mpg, with the wear rate remaining on a par with the regular 'E' segment tyres," explains Lee Redfern, Operations Director of Elite Transport Services.
"Our vehicles typically average 75,000 miles a year, which equates to an annual saving of approximately £2,260 per vehicle. We will be monitoring the performance of the Energy tyres closely over the next six to 12 months and a positive result could see Michelin Energy tyres being rolled out across the fleet," he adds.
This latest delivery marks the first Volvos to join the Elite Transport Services fleet and also the first vehicles to be fitted with digital tachographs. Operating at 44 tonnes, the vehicles will be used solely for container haulage across the UK.
Michelin has been the sole supplier of tyres to Elite Transport Services for over seven years. The company's fleet is split between operating hubs in Manchester, Felixstowe, Birmingham and Southampton.
Every Michelin tyre is designed for a specific application, with 'A' segment Energy tyres designed for commercial vehicles operating on long distance routes with high average speeds, whereas the 'E' segment products are designed with medium distance operations such as regional haulage in mind. Other segments include 'U' for vehicles involved in urban distribution, and 'Y' for medium and short haul on /off road applications where there is high damage potential.[back to news]
Ten vehicles have been specified with Michelin 'E' segment regional tyres (XZE2+ / XDE2+) and five with 'A' segment Energy tyres (XZA2 / XDA2), enabling the customer to closely monitor the difference in fuel economy before making a decision on whether to switch the entire fleet of 140 vehicles to a Michelin Energy policy.
"We trialled Michelin Energy tyres on a tractor unit and dedicated trailer in the fleet for the past 14 months and saw the average fuel economy increase from 7.99 to 8.55 mpg, with the wear rate remaining on a par with the regular 'E' segment tyres," explains Lee Redfern, Operations Director of Elite Transport Services.
"Our vehicles typically average 75,000 miles a year, which equates to an annual saving of approximately £2,260 per vehicle. We will be monitoring the performance of the Energy tyres closely over the next six to 12 months and a positive result could see Michelin Energy tyres being rolled out across the fleet," he adds.
This latest delivery marks the first Volvos to join the Elite Transport Services fleet and also the first vehicles to be fitted with digital tachographs. Operating at 44 tonnes, the vehicles will be used solely for container haulage across the UK.
Michelin has been the sole supplier of tyres to Elite Transport Services for over seven years. The company's fleet is split between operating hubs in Manchester, Felixstowe, Birmingham and Southampton.
Every Michelin tyre is designed for a specific application, with 'A' segment Energy tyres designed for commercial vehicles operating on long distance routes with high average speeds, whereas the 'E' segment products are designed with medium distance operations such as regional haulage in mind. Other segments include 'U' for vehicles involved in urban distribution, and 'Y' for medium and short haul on /off road applications where there is high damage potential.[back to news]