Pirelli is supplying a specially developed edition of its P Zero tyre for fitment on the new Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV range. Alfa’s first production electric vehicle, which comes in hybrid and plug-in hybrid editions as well as diesel and petrol ICE models, will roll on size 235/40R20 96V XL Pirelli P Zero tyres, the tyre manufacturer’s performance range.
Electric vehicle-specific aftermarket Falken tyres will arrive in Europe next year, says Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The tyre maker reported the planned release of the Falken e.Ziex upon announcing the April 2022 launch in China of a replacement market range aimed at electric vehicles, the Dunlop e.Sport Maxx.
The past two years have given plenty of reason to be optimistic about the speed of the electrification of the car parc. In the UK plug-in electric vehicle sales have grown market share quickly, rising to 18.5 per cent of new car registrations in the UK in 2021, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Add in hybrids, and this figure was over a quarter (27.5 per cent) last year. The new car market has faced severe headwinds with component shortages and other effects of the pandemic, leading to only one percent growth compared to the year of the most severe pandemic restrictions in 2020. Meanwhile EVs have benefitted from favourable consumer perception and government-backed schemes, leading to growth where other segments have faltered. With schemes due to expire and bottlenecking in the rollout of chargepoints, there could be more turbulence for new EV sales coming, yet current projections show that confidence in the EV segment is relatively high.
Hyundai Commercial Vehicle has worked with ZC Rubber in China for some time now, and the tyre maker now reports supplying new patterns and sizes from its truck tyre ranges for various Hyundai long-haul truck models in this market. Models receiving original equipment ZC Rubber tyres include the Hyundai Hongtu EV, a fully electric light truck, and the Hyundai Xcient.
While tyre makers serving the UK and European markets typically cover replacement demand for electric vehicle tyres with energy-efficient products they also aim at ICE-powered cars, in North America Goodyear has introduced a replacement market tyre that’s specifically tuned for EVs. It has launched the Goodyear ElectricDrive GT in size 255/45R19 104W XL and intends to expand the line-up in 2022.
The city bus market is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. Electrification, autonomy and accessibility, including on-demand services, are revolutionising urban mobility. Goodyear has launched a new tyre to provide a solution for operators seeking to maximise the efficiency of their current fleet and prepare for the future; the UrbanMax MCA HL + is an all-position tyre with high-load structure, enabling the 8-tonne axle load capacity required by modern electric or hybrid buses.
London-based company Enso Tyres has won the LA New Mobility Challenge 2021, an event co-hosted by CoMotion LA and Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and supported by the UK Government. The judging panel awarded Enso for tyres that increase electric vehicle range while reducing both air pollution and micro-plastic tyre particulate matter pollution.
Following its rise to prominence and a couple of months after Royal Mail began trialling the same brand, leading parcel delivery firm DPD is conducting “full road trials” of Enso tyres for commercial electric vehicles (EVs). The DPD/Enso trial is a part of Transport for London’s FreightLab Innovation Challenge, which is encouraging innovations that will tackle London’s air pollution and road congestion due to increased freight movement in the Greater London area. The London FreightLab Innovation Challenge is backed by the Mayor of London and Enso is based in London.
The growth of the electric vehicle market is reaching a stage where early adopters are beginning to invest in maintaining their vehicles in greater numbers. Electric vehicles are generally heavier with a different weight distribution to cars with internal combustion engines, but tyre brand Landsail contends that drivers do not need to spend big on dedicated electric vehicle tyres. It says its LS588 and LS388 ranges offer a range of options with the correct load and speed rating for EVs.
Vehicle manufacturers’ accelerated development of battery and hybrid technology to significantly reduce vehicle emissions is being supported by tyre manufacturers. Tyres influence fundamental characteristics, such as the efficiency, the range, and the low running noise of electric vehicles, so tyre-makers are innovating quickly to address these key performance characteristics, while not compromising on the tyre’s core safety functions. Yokohama states that it has played a key role in developing its range of tyres to meet the requirements of this next generation of vehicles.
Pirelli tyres are chosen for many of the most sustainable cars from the world’s leading brands. Nearly three in ten electric cars (29 per cent) at the at the 2021 International IAA Mobility Show in Munich fit Pirelli P Zero or Scorpion tyres. Pirelli is equipping these ranges with its new Elect technology for cars with zero or low emissions, some of which are among those at the IAA show. Pirelli’s Cinturato P7 tyres are also at the show on the BMW 320e hybrid and 3 Series models.
The latest in our ‘Torque from the Top’ series of interviews with leading tyre industry executives features David Seward, MD of Yokohama’s UK distributor, Yokohama HPT. As you will read later, the company was established in 1988 and Seward has been with the company from the beginning, which must make him one of (if not the) longest-serving MD of any UK-based international tyre company. But first, a brief look at the history of the parent company.
In addition to sporting Nexen tyres, the new Kia EV6 will also be sold with Kumho tyres as original equipment. The tyre maker is supplying its Kumho Ecsta PS71 summer and Cruzen HP71 all-season tyres for fitment on cars sold in South Korea; Kumho Tire hasn’t yet confirmed whether it will also supply tyres for other markets. Both size 235/55R19 tyres feature Kumho’s 2014-developed K-Silent sound absorption technology.
Hankook Tire is adding new 18- and 19-inch sizes to its Kinergy AS ev range. The new dimensions in this expanded line-up, which now covers 16- to 19-inch fitments, will initially be available only in South Korea but will launch in other markets at a later date.
The EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle. Based on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV6 offers a range of up to 316 miles and rapid charging – when using the State of Charge (SOC) mode, the car can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes. Nexen Tire reports it is supplying two tyres as original equipment.
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