Michelin CrossClimate+ rollout for North West Ambulance Service rapid responders
By switching from year-round winter tyres to the CrossClimate+, the North West Ambulance Service’s rapid response fleet anticipates reduced fleet running costs
The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust has fit Michelin’s CrossClimate+ to its 160-strong rapid response paramedic fleet of Škoda Octavias and Volkswagen Passats. The tyre is designed to match high performance summer competitors, but with winter capabilities, enhancing safety, longevity and durability.
Andy Pritchard, North West Ambulance Service fleet engineer – operations, says: “Our priority is to get to the patient as soon as we get the call. It doesn’t matter if there’s a blizzard, high winds, or torrents of rain – with lives at stake, safe mobility is key. With this change to our tyre policy, we can deliver rapid, expert, lifesaving care wherever it’s required.”
The Trust’s rapid response fleet previously fitted Michelin winter tyres year-round, which was a compromise on wear and performance during summer months. By switching to CrossClimate+, the fleet’s tyres will last longer before replacement, which will in turn help to drive down fleet running costs.
The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust covers approximately 5,400 square miles of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, operating from 109 ambulance stations, and attending more than 952,000 incidents each year.
Pritchard adds: “Our fleet covers a diverse territory, from the Cumbrian hills to the city streets of Manchester, so we need tyres that will help us get to the patient, whatever the weather and road condition, as quickly and safely as possible.”
The service’s 1,042-strong fleet of mainline ambulances and patient transport vehicles also rolls on Michelin tyres, with tyres fitted exclusively by service provider ATS Euromaster.
The complete Michelin CrossClimate range now features CrossClimate tyres in 14-inch fitments, CrossClimate+ tyres in 15- to 18-inches, and CrossClimate SUV tyres in 16- to 19-inches.
By the end of 2017, Michelin will offer CrossClimate tyres in 95 sizes, with further expansion to come.
Michelin CrossClimate tyres were named Fleet News’ Best New Product 2016. They also clinched the Van Fleet World Innovation Award 2016, and won the innovation category of the 2016 BusinessCar ‘Techies’.
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