Ember is exclusively fitting its electric Yutong coaches with Michelin tyres, chosen for their superior quality and durability. Operating from the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, Ember values partnerships with suppliers who align with its sustainability goals.
Michelin Tyres Help All-Electric Ember Supercharge Its Fast Growth
Ember, the UK’s first all-electric inter-city coach company, is running its fleet of zero-tailpipe-emission coaches exclusively on Michelin rubber. The company describes the manufacturer as the ‘hallmark of quality in the industry’.
The business has experienced significant growth since its launch, with just two vehicles in 2019. It now operates 78 Yutong electric coaches on routes across Scotland, with its headquarters at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) in Dundee.
Charged by Wind Power
Two 2,000 kW wind turbines, installed in 2006 at the site of the old Michelin car tyre factory, produce the electric power that charges Ember’s fleet of EV coaches.
Quality and reliability, best-in-class customer service, and a shared vision for the environment and sustainability drove the decision to opt for an exclusive Michelin contract.
Quality in the Industry
Andy Mason, Head of Operations at Ember, 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 are 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.”
The exclusive contract sees the manufacturer supply products directly to Ember, whose in-house technicians handle the fitting and management of the tyres. All new Yutong TCe12 and the GTe14 coaches are also specified with Michelin tyres as original equipment.
MICHELIN X Coach Z and X Multi Z 2 Tyres
Ember fits its new vehicles with a mix of 295/80 R22.5 MICHELIN X Coach Z and X Multi Z 2 tyres. When the original equipment (OE) tyres wear out, Ember replaces the rears with MICHELIN X Coach D Remix fitments. Its technicians also regroove all tyres in-house, extending their life by around 25% while maintaining the lowest rolling resistance.This improves the vehicle’s range and reduces its power consumption.
As part of the agreement, Michelin’s Technical Department has carried out precise weighing of the axle loads on each type of coach. This ensures the tyres are running at optimal pressure. 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,” adds Mason.
“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.”
“The two companies also share a passion for sustainability and the environment. For us, it’s really important that we have as positive an impact on the planet as we possibly can in every aspect of the business, including our suppliers. Michelin’s focus on its Remix product, for instance, and making the absolute maximum of every casing is a huge plus point.”
Ember currently has depots in Edinburgh, Dundee, Fort William and Aberdeen, with new premises set to open in locations including Oban and Inverness soon. Its frequent, low-cost services include routes between Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling, Kinross and Edinburgh Airport.
