APTA Mobility 2019: Proterra and Michelin develop tires for battery-electric buses
Proterra and Michelin introduced attendees at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) 2019 Mobility Conference to the new MICHELIN® X® InCity Energy Z tire, for use on Proterra’s battery-electric buses.
Michelin and Proterra explain that the low rolling resistance tires help increase load-carry capacity and leverage traction, resulting in increased vehicle range and improved performance of electric buses.
“We are proud to collaborate with Proterra and put our innovating force behind advancing sustainable mobility,” said Adam Murphy, director of marketing, Michelin North America. “The development of this tire to support heavy-duty electric buses is in line with our long-standing commitments and ambitions to promote energy-efficient, low-emissions mobility solutions, particularly in cities.”
The X InCity Energy Z tire incorporates Michelin Advanced Technology™ tread compounds designed to provide low rolling resistance technology in the tire, which Michelin explains will contribute to the maximum operational range between charges for Proterra® buses.
In addition to enabling greater range, the X InCity Energy Z tire is designed to withstand tough urban transit conditions and has robust bead architecture to ensure durability in demanding stop/start service. The tire uses 3D Matrix™ sipe technologies to provide biting edges for traction in wet and slippery conditions. Michelin notes that with this technology, the X InCity Energy Z is optimized for all-season weather and driving conditions, and is certified 3PMSF (“three-peak mountain snowflake”) and M+S (“mud and snow”), which meets the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association snow-traction performance requirements and the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada requirements for severe snow traction.
Proterra says that ensuring its transit buses utilize the best tires is another essential component to further maximize the performance of the its Catalyst buses and the X InCity Energy Z tire for electric bus configuration will be the standard tire offered for the Proterra Catalyst vehicles.
“At Proterra, innovation is the core of our culture. High-performing electric vehicles combine powerful battery technology with extremely efficient vehicles,” said Proterra CEO Ryan Popple. “We are a leader in the electric bus industry in battery technology but we’re also innovating to improve the efficient use of that stored energy. We were proud to introduce the first purpose-built, lightweight bus chassis to this industry, and we’re similarly excited to partner with a global leader like Michelin to bring the X InCity Energy Z tire to this market.”
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
