Michelin to use self-driving trucks at French HQ

Montreal – Michelin has agreed to work with Einride AB to help develop the Swedish company's self-driving electric trucks by using a number of the autonomous units at its operations in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

The partnership, which includes digitalizing selected transport flows on Einride's platform, will begin in 2020 in two phases:

• Transporting goods inside a controlled area at one of Michelin's plants in Clermont-Ferrand; and
• Transporting goods between different Michelin sites in the city.

The latter will require approvals by French authorities to allow an autonomous vehicle to operate on public roads. Einride's solution is coordinated by an intelligent "operative system" for road freight transport.

The partnership, disclosed at the recent Movin'On Summit in Montreal, was initiated by Michelin's supply chain department as is part of the company's action for more innovative and sustainable goods mobility.

Road freight transport accounts for about 7% of global CO2 emissions, Michelin said.

Einride CEO Robert Falck said Michelin and his company share the same mission of working together to introduce a sustainable, safe and efficient solution that can help transform the way Michelin transports goods while reducing CO2 emissions.