Electric inter-city operator Ember has entered into an agreement to run its fleet of zero-emission coaches exclusively on Michelin tyres, describing the manufacturer as the ‘hallmark of quality in the industry.’
The business has seen significant growth since it launched with two vehicles in 2019, and now operates 78 Yutong electric coaches on routes across Scotland. Its operations are based at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP), in Dundee, where its fleet is charged via access to electric power produced by two 2,000kW wind turbines that were installed at the site of the old Michelin car tyre factory in 2006.
The company says its decision to opt for an exclusive Michelin contract was driven by the quality and reliability of the product, best-in-class customer service and the two businesses’ shared vision around the environment and sustainability.
Head of Operations at Ember Andy Mason says: “I think for us, Michelin has always been known as a hallmark of quality in the industry. Reliability is everything because we use our coaches more intensively than any other operator in the country. We are a 24/7 business, and these coaches will typically be out on the road almost around the clock. They come in and recharge 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’s imperative we have long-lasting and reliable tyres on the vehicles, which is exactly what Michelin provide.”
As part of the agreement, Michelin’s Technical Department carried out precise weighing of the axle loads on each type of coach to ensure the tyres are running at optimal pressures. An instructor from the Michelin Training and Information Centre (MTIC) also visited Ember’s headquarters for an on-site session focusing on regrooving and management of the tyres.
“The Michelin team have been hugely helpful,” Andy added. “The training was first-class. Because these battery-operated coaches are extremely heavy, it was really useful to have Michelin come out and weigh the load on each axle, so we understood the optimal tyre pressure we need to be running on. Those added extras aren’t something we’d had previously in other partnerships.”
