Switch to Michelin saves CO2 for Mid & East Antrim
Michelin has helped Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to boost the efficiency of its 160-strong commercial vehicle fleet and realise CO₂ savings of 27.7 tonnes in the three years up to and including 2025.
The local authority has been fitting Michelin tyres exclusively to its fleet since 2021, having used a mix of manufacturer’s products before. It continues to work with Michelin via the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) tyre framework agreement RM6535 which offers guidance to local authorities on purchasing consumables for their fleets.
A representative of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council 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 runs 100 vans that are used to provide services from dog wardens to medical and welfare checks, and parks maintenance. The local authority also runs 60 HGVs including 32-tonne hook loaders and 26-tonne refuse collection vehicles.
The fleet is out in all weathers, 24/7, with performance, safety and compliance key metrics. The vans use the Michelin Agilis family of tyres, while the trucks are fitted with tyres from the Michelin X Multi range, predominantly sized 295/80 R22.5 and 315/80 R22.5.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has adopted a Michelin multi-life policy for its truck fitments. This sees the tyres regrooved once the tread depth reaches 3-4mm, helping to extend each casing’s life during its most fuel-efficient state. Once the regrooved tyres have worn, they are retreaded at the Michelin factory in Stoke-on-Trent and can then be regrooved again to extend their life further. The council utilises both Remix and, thanks to its reinforced sidewall, Encore retread products on exposed vehicle positions.
From 2023 to 2025, the retreading policy saved a total of 10.2 tonnes of material from landfill, and 13.2 fewer tonnes of material was used compared with the production of new replacement tyres. The equivalent of 27.7 tonnes of CO₂ was saved on the back of the tyres and services used.
The council representative adds that while the initial outlay for premium tyres was higher than budget alternatives, 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,” they Ais.
The local authority also opted for the CCS framework RM6315 offer from Michelin Connected Fleet for fleet management services. This delivers data supporting compliance; fuel use; harsh braking events, which is used for driver coaching; and to assist the council in enhancing driver safety; as well as achieving further CO₂ reductions while improving the overall cost efficiency of the fleet.
Additional support is provided by Primoz Lakota, Michelin’s truck sales account manager and defence account manager for the UK & Ireland, and the fleet’s service requirements are handled by Modern Tyres in Ballyclare.
The UK government’s CCS features more than 100 commercial agreements with vetted suppliers such as Michelin.
