Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has improved fleet efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced safety by partnering with Michelin.
Michelin Partnership Drives Fleet Efficiency and CO₂ Reduction
Michelin has helped Northern Ireland’s 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 its vehicles exclusively with Michelin tyres since 2021, after previously using a mix of manufacturers’ products. It continues to work with Michelin via the CCS tyre framework agreement RM6535.
A representative of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council says, “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.”
Diverse Fleet Operations Supported by Michelin Multi-Life Tyre Policy
The council runs 100 vans used to provide services, including dog warden services, medical and welfare checks, and park 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 council equips its vans with MICHELIN Agilis tyres and fits its trucks with MICHELIN X Multi tyres, mainly in sizes 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 Encore retread products on exposed vehicle positions due to their reinforced sidewalls.
From 2023 through 2025, a total of 10.2 tonnes was diverted from landfill, 13.2 fewer tonnes of material were used compared with the production of a new tyre, and the equivalent of 27.7 tonnes of CO² was saved on the back of the tyres and services used.
Reduced Downtime and Improved Driver Satisfaction with Premium Tyres
The council representative adds that while the initial outlay for premium tyres was higher than budget alternatives, there was a strong value-for-money argument for retreads and significant qualitative benefits as well.
“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 help us deliver a timelier service. It also means our drivers are happier because their vehicles aren’t off the road,” they add.
Connected Fleet Technology Enhances Safety, Compliance and Cost Efficiency
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, and 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.
Primoz Lakota, Truck Sales Account Manager & Defence Account Manager for the UK & Ireland at Michelin, provides additional support, and Modern Tyres in Ballyclare handles the fleet’s service requirements.
The UK Government’s CCS features more than 100 commercial agreements with vetted suppliers, such as Michelin, that provide local authorities with a transparent, trusted route to good-value public procurement.
[Photo/Image Credit: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council]
