National Grid using new all-terrain tyre on van fleet

An all-terrain tyre suitable for vans, which allows vehicles to drive off-road, is being deployed by National Grid Electricity Distribution.

Serving 20 million customers across the Midlands, the South-West and South Wales, National Grid needed to improve the performance of its vehicles in off-road conditions for engineers working on remote rural infrastructure.

The organisation found its vehicles would often struggle with the wide range of terrains they needed to access, and 4x4s wouldn’t offer the equipment-carrying capacity of its fleet of vans.

Hampshire-based Micheldever Fleet Solutions (MFS) and General Tire have worked together to develop the General Tire Grabber AT3 tyre, which works in normal road conditions as well as off-road.

MFS’ parent company Micheldever Tyre Services has exclusive distribution rights for General Tire and the partners have now developed multiple additional van sizes of the General Tire Grabber AT3 to target the wider all-terrain market.

Nigel Wright, transport area controller at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said: “We have one of the largest business fleets in the UK, with vehicles that have to operate in a wide range of conditions and terrains.

“Sometimes off-road driving was difficult for our teams, so it was great to work with General Tire and Micheldever Tyre Services to address this. 

“They have provided us with a solution that is good news for us and our customers as it will ensure greater operational responsiveness and efficiency.”

MFS and General Tire needed to ensure the tyre provided the correct load index to accommodate the modifications needed to National Grid vehicles, which allow its engineers to safely carry the parts, cabling and tools needed to undertake their work, and other utility vehicles.  

Peter Gittens, head of Micheldever Fleet Solutions, said: “This has proved to be a successful collaboration to address a real-world issue which will not only benefit National Grid Electricity Distribution but other fleets in the utility and fleet sector.”

Dave Dineen, director of specialist sales at Micheldever Tyre Services, added: “Listening to our customers is very important and this is a perfect example of how a supplier and a manufacturer can work together to deliver new products that meets business needs.” 

The tyre industry is undergoing a period of rapid change. Read more from Fleet News on how it will affect a fleet decision-maker and how they can navigate it.