TM Logistics Trial Michelin Tyres

TM Logistics Ltd is conducting an “extensive” tyre trial across its newly delivered fleet of 10 tractor units. The test will be carried out using 10 identical Euro 4 MAN TGA tractors operating at 44 tonnes; five specified with Michelin ‘E’ segment regional tyres (XZE2+ / XDE2+) and five with low rolling resistance Michelin Energy ‘A’ segment tyres (XZA2 / XDA2), as part of an ongoing equipment utilisation programme for the company’s mixed MAN and Scania fleet.

The company operates approximately 170 commercial vehicles, ranging from 7.5 tonne rigids to 44 tonne tractor units, as well as a fleet of 300 trailers. “As a company, we are constantly looking at ways of reducing our carbon footprint and with vehicles averaging 100,000 miles a year, the biggest challenge is to increase the fuel saving potential of each vehicle,” explains Adam Purshall, Head of Engineering and Compliance at TML.

“We will be monitoring the performance of both sets of tyres very carefully over the next six to 12 months as part of an ongoing initiative that has already seen us make a 12.5 per cent reduction in tyre spend since switching to a Michelin fitment policy in 2004, combined with fuel economy improvements across the fleet.”

Every Michelin tyre is made 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 Michelin segments include ‘U’ for vehicles involved in urban distribution, ‘Y’ for medium and short haul on /off road applications where there is high damage potential and the ‘N’ segment designed for difficult climatic conditions.