Michelin launches ‘X-Incity Energy Z’ tyre for electric bus applications
By Jim Gibbins - 1st November 2019
France / Belgium - Michelin Plc of Clermont-Ferrand, France presented its X-Incity Energy Z at Busworld Europe last month - the first tyre in 275/70R22.5 format with a steer axle load of eight tons (up from 7.5t), which, it claims, will allow future generations of electric buses to increase their capacities.
Michelin claims numerous studies suggest 50% of all buses by the 2030s, will be electric, but warned the change towards sustainable mobility was not without its problems; the main issue is increased bus weight induced by batteries necessary to ensure range autonomy. The current tyre limitation of 7.5 tonnes per axle obliges manufacturers to compromise on the range of the bus or on passenger capacity. An alternative is to accept bigger tyres, which is the only way currently to meet the additional load.
