South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is switching its fleet of more than 350 ambulances to a Michelin Agilis CrossClimate tyre policy to bring all-year round performance.
The Service previously fitted Michelin Agilis Alpin winter tyres year-round but has switched to using Michelin Agilis CrossClimate summer van tyres with full winter capability to help ensure mobility.
The Service is in the process of transitioning all its ambulance fleet to the new tyres and is already reporting improved wear rates, with the first sets of Agilis CrossClimate tyres wearing evenly across the surface of the tyre – and tread depth readings pointing to extended replacement intervals.
The new tyres are being supplied by Tructyre ATS, which fits all new rubber for the Service onto spare rims. This enables the customer’s own workshop teams to mount the completed tyre and wheel assemblies onto its vehicles as wear dictates.
James Nutbrown, west workshops area manager, said: “Every aspect of an ambulance’s specification is critical for us; but particularly the tyres. Our crews are required to make swift progress under blue-light conditions and ensuring their safe mobility in all weathers is paramount.
“Winter tyres have previously served us well, but you pay the price in the summer months with increased tyre wear. Michelin recommended Agilis CrossClimate as a way of benefiting from all the performance advantages of a summer tyre on dry and wet roads, but with guaranteed winter performance built-in when the temperatures drop and in the event of ice or snow.”
