Sonic Rail Services (SRS) is moving its entire van fleet to a Michelin Agilis CrossClimate policy after a trial showcased the tyre’s safety benefits and savings potential on a year-round basis.
The rail infrastructure business currently runs Michelin Agilis tyres on its larger vans and Michelin Energy Saver + fitments on its smaller vehicles.
However, it’s now planning to roll out Agilis CrossClimate on every vehicle in its 58-strong van fleet, drawing on the benefits provided by Michelin’s latest-generation summer tyres that also offer full winter capability.
Tests of Agilis CrossClimate fitments on one of each of the van models that SRS has in service – including a 4.7-tonne Ford Transit, a smaller Ford Transit, a Ford Transit Courier, a Ford Fiesta and a Vauxhall Vivaro – showed the benefits to drivers.
Jon Vincent, fleet maintenance manager, explained: “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the drivers, particularly with regards to improved grip on wet and frosty roads. We are based in quite a rural area, with a lot of muddy country lanes and tight bends and the handling of the vehicles with the CrossClimates on has been exceptional.
“The performance and grip levels from the tyres has been absolutely first class.”
The tyre’s year-round capabilities have also proved a particular bonus.
“We’ve looked at specialised winter tyres before – but to get 58 vehicles back into the garage, swap all the tyres and then store those summer tyres for when the weather is better is a really big job,” added Vincent. “When you add up the cost of changing the tyres and the cost of storage it would be a pretty large expense.
“So, it’s far better for us to have one tyre that we can use all-year round. With the Agilis CrossClimate, we get best performance in the winter, and the best performance in summer – what more can you ask for?”
