LONDON—Enso Tyres Ltd. has been producing tires for electric vehicles since 2016. Now ready to take its operation to the next step, the London-based manufacturer has partnered with i247 Group to supply tires to more than 4,000 fitting centers across the United Kingdom.
The partnership, announced Jan. 27, will supply Enso products to major providers around the region, the company said. Officials added that the partnership is a "key step" in Enso's mission of supplying EV tires for high-mileage commercial usage.
"Our fleet-first approach ensures high-mileage EV drivers have access to affordable tires that last longer, increase EV range, and reduce pollution, putting more cash in drivers' pockets and directly tackling tire pollution," Enso CEO Gunnlaugur Erlendsson said in a statement. "Our partnership with i247 Group fills a critical gap in the market for EV-specific high-performance tires, helping both drivers and fleet operators adapt to the growing EV transition."
Enso designs its EV tires specifically for high-mileage and high-performance vehicles, the company said, including delivery vans and rideshare programs like Uber and Lyft. The new partnership also furthers Enso's business venture with Uber, company officials said, and supports Uber's shift to EVs in the U.S. and U.K.
i247 Group Managing Director Sam Mason said that Enso will provide U.K. vehicle fleets with "groundbreaking tire technology," specifically citing efficiency and sustainability as major factors in the partnership.
"Our partnership with ENSO gives U.K. fleet operators and drivers access to groundbreaking tire technology that improves efficiency, safety and sustainability whilst reducing the total cost of ownership for EV fleet operators," Mason said in a statement. "i247's extensive panel of suppliers allows ENSO customers access to reactive and proactive tire replacement services, ensuring we keep vehicles and drivers on the road for longer."
Outside of the United Kingdom, Enso is expanding its presence in the U.S. The company has announced plans to build a $500 million carbon-neutral tire factory by 2027, although the location is still undetermined.