Continental introduces tyre for electric city buses

The Conti Urban HA3 is the Continental commercial tyre of choice for city-based usage. The range has now been extended with the introduction of a tyre optimised for the weight requirements and torque delivery of electric city buses.

The Conti Urban HA3 315/60 R22.5 154/148J (156/150F) is an all-axle fitment with a load carrying capacity of up to eight tonnes per axle – half a tonne more than standard for this tyre size. Continental was able to lift capacity thanks to its use of a robust casing featuring high wire density and thickness.

The Conti Urban HA3 tread contains a high proportion of natural rubber, which increases resistance to cuts, cracks, chipping, chunking, and abrasion, leading to a long potential service life and full utilisation of the tyre’s mileage potential. The tread pattern was developed with urban conditions in mind and with the aim of improving endurance and evenness of wear. Continental says the wide tread width ensures excellent cornering stability and handling for maximum safety in urban traffic.

Another feature that Continental draws our attention to is the high-density interlocking sipes in the tread pattern; it says these provide optimum grip and lane holding, even in extremely wet conditions, throughout the tyre’s service life. The sipes are also staggered in order to reduce noise for increased ride comfort.

The sidewall of the Conti Urban HA3 is reinforced to protect against kerbing. Resistance to sidewall damage is important as Continental anticipates users will gain “multiple service lives” from their tyres thanks to good retreadability. And last but not least, the Conti Urban HA3 is 3PMSF marked for year-round use in countries where winter tyre regulations apply.

“The new Conti Urban HA3 optimised for electric buses brings to fruition the valuable experience we’ve gathered from our recent collaboration with commercial vehicle manufacturers and municipal bus companies,” says Lutz Stäbner, head of product management for Continental truck and bus tyres in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “Thanks to its balanced performance profile, it provides a safe, comfortable, and cost-effective solution for enabling e-mobility in challenging stop-and-go traffic.”