By Ertugrull Bahan, Senior Tyre Expert
Electric cars will surely be more on board than in recent decades. They are becoming more popular, more commercial, the market volume of the middle and upper classes will increase more than today. The inconsistencies associated with high sales costs and a short battery charge distance are generally overlooked. Brand popularity depends mainly on entry price and customer service.
New brands for the production of electric cars will appear on the market. The manufacture of high-tech electric cars becomes easier and more convenient because fewer transmission components are used than conventional cars. However, the spectrum and capacity of AI determine the comfort of mobility. Solid software support for brand awareness will therefore be more dominant than the physical parts of the vehicle.
Low weight and cheaper batteries
Humanity must still be patient with flying cars! Next generation cars will be purely electric, so the total load will always be borne by wheels and tyres.There is still a space where the weight of electric cars can be reduced with lighter and additive manufacturing features. However, these are not yet completely possible for industry.The battery of an electric car is today the heaviest part of the vehicle and weighs around 500 kg. The weight of the batterywill determine the all aspects of the electric car.Due to the total body weight, todayelectric car tyres are not light load tyres and their size depends on the total weight of the car. New lighter battery technologies will shape future electric cars and their tyres. Technical reasons point to tall tire sizes with a rim size of 19 inches and more with a smaller cross-sectional width and stiffer sidewall for electric car tyres.
Electric car manufacturers must plan long distances on a single charge anyway. Any successful design of vehicle parts therefore aims for low energy consumption. Higher battery weight, more braking energy and larger brake pedals hinder this goal. The regenerative ability feature braking and driving downhill are therefore on the table and the preference for a working electric car.
Quieter, lighter, easier to grip tyres
It is reasonable for automakers to expect energy efficient electric car tyres.In this regard, the tyres should have less rolling resistance, but should also contain a rubber composition that manages the current torque of the electric motors. The high torque and weight of the heavy vehicle challenge optimal performance. Better grip, lower rolling resistance and better tyre wear performance require opposite directions of the magic triangle. The use of silica-silane has already been carried out with conventional tyres. This means that the structure and material of electric car tyres have a unique des
ign and must be different from conventional car tyres.
Electric cars offer a quiet driving experience, so any noise source other than the low-noise electric drive train is annoying to the driver. A larger outside diameter with a stiffer sidewall and a high inflation and cavity are disadvantageous for a better noise level. If a shallow skid depth is used for better pattern noise, wear resistance will decrease. However, a high instantaneous torque mainly requires better tyre wear. Because other performance parameters are balanced during the development phase, including wet and dry traction, life is not easy for tire manufacturers as they need of many newsizes after the spread of electric vehicles in all segments. All bring us the concept of "active tyres" also referred to as "intelligent tyres," which means that all necessary services are available in good time if necessary. However, this is a completely new and challenging area, consisting of the possibilities of non-air-filled tyres and the use of nano-additives in traditional blends. Otherwise, electric car tyres will also be a mixture of today's technologies. They will be the best possible compromise for the most important parameters.
New technologies, government incentives to prevail
Other technological developments for powerful tyres for electric cars will prevail.Developing foam layer technologies for tire noise reduction is one alternative for quit tyres. Previous foam filled tyres as alternative to run-flat technologies will be on scene for the purpose of lowering the tire and road noise for a better riding performance of an electric car and its tyres.
Around 2 million electric car sales is expected to reach to ten times more in ten years in overall world and electric car volume reaches 530 total million market volume in 20 years. Many countries will ban diesel engine and limit gasoline fuel car sales. Governments will play major roles shaping the global market with incentives. 30% less noise and 20% less rolling tyres will be average technology and requirements of next tire labeling requirements. Future tyres will be anyhow more technological. Caching up all has to be started by better power of will and imagination.
Laufenn Secures First European Original Equipment Deal With Škoda Octavia
- By TT News
- April 20, 2026
Hankook Tire has confirmed that its associate brand, Laufenn, will supply the second-generation S FIT2 summer performance tyre as original equipment for the Škoda Octavia. The Octavia is a cornerstone model for the Czech automaker under the Volkswagen Group, developed on the modular MQB platform and generating steady European demand. This agreement marks Laufenn’s first original equipment partnership with a European manufacturer, signalling the brand’s entry into the OE sector.
The S FIT2 was developed through close technical collaboration with Škoda to align precisely with the Octavia’s performance requirements. Supplied in a 17-inch size, the tyre delivers stable handling, showcasing Hankook’s engineering capability in OE development. Designed for Europe’s varied climate, the S FIT2 secures reliable stopping power and control through optimised grip and drainage while improving efficiency and mileage over its predecessor.
A high content silica compound and optimised tread block design reduce wet braking distances by approximately 16 percent. Four wide straight grooves enhance water evacuation for superior handling on rain slicked surfaces. An optimised structural design maintains grip on hot asphalt while minimising vibration and noise for a quiet urban ride. A next generation polymer compound extends mileage by roughly 15 percent.
Laufenn shares Hankook Tire’s global top tier technology and rigorous quality system. Since its 2014 debut at the SEMA Show in United States, the brand has expanded across international markets with a complete lineup for passenger cars, SUVs, trucks and buses, reflecting regional driving conditions and customer lifestyles.
Subaru’s New Uncharted BEV Rolls Out On Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-CV Tyres In North America
- By TT News
- April 09, 2026
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has initiated original equipment supply of its GEOLANDAR X-CV tyres for Subaru’s new Uncharted (US model) SUV-type battery electric vehicle (BEV), which was launched in North America in December 2025. The specified tyre size for this application is 235/50R20 100V.
The GEOLANDAR X-CV is engineered as a modern highway terrain tyre with M+S certification, prioritising responsive drivability and high-speed capability. Its design seeks an integrated balance of safety, comfort, durability and fuel efficiency. Tailored for electrified vehicles, these tyres bear Yokohama’s proprietary ‘E+’ sidewall engraving, signifying enhanced attributes in durability, quietness and energy conservation. This development was facilitated by the company’s HAICoLab framework, an AI-driven platform that combines human creativity with advanced data processing to accelerate digital innovation.
This supply agreement aligns with the strategic goals outlined in Yokohama Transformation 2026, the company’s medium-term management plan running through 2026. A core initiative of this strategy is to increase the proportion of high-value-added tyre sales by expanding original equipment placement for key global brands. This includes actively promoting both the flagship ADVAN line and the GEOLANDAR series for SUVs and pickup trucks on new vehicles worldwide.
NEXEN TIRE’s ROADIAN GTX Chosen For Renault FILANTE Across Korea, Latin America and Middle East
- By TT News
- April 06, 2026
NEXEN TIRE has been selected to supply original equipment tyres for the Renault FILANTE, a crossover model from Renault Korea that merges sedan comfort with SUV practicality. The chosen tyre is the ROADIAN GTX, an all-season model engineered for SUVs and crossover utility vehicles, fitted in a 19-inch specification. Its zigzag tread pattern across a wide contact patch promotes even pressure distribution for stable handling, while a precision load distribution structure boosts road grip. Additionally, a low noise optimised block arrangement delivers the quiet ride that electrified vehicles require.
Hybrid vehicles like the FILANTE, which features Renault Korea’s latest hybrid powertrain, place high technical demands on tyres due to the combined use of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. NEXEN TIRE’s selection proves its ability to provide solutions for various powertrain types. The supply covers not only domestic Korean sales but also export models heading to Latin America and the Middle East.
This collaboration builds on a growing partnership with Renault Korea, following OE fitment for the Grand Koleos midsize SUV launched in 2024. Since entering the overseas OE market in 2012, NEXEN TIRE has become a key supplier to global automakers. From 2016 onward, the company has continued to demonstrate its technological strengths by partnering with numerous premium global brands across Europe and beyond.
John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, "We are continuously advancing our tyre technology to keep pace with the next generation of mobility, where electrification and artificial intelligence are converging. We will further strengthen our strategic partnerships with global automakers to solidify our presence in international markets and enhance the company's overall value."
Yokohama To Supply Tyres For Toyota’s Electric C-HR
- By TT News
- March 24, 2026
Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its Geolandar X-CV tyres as original equipment for Toyota Motor Corporation’s new battery electric C-HR SUV, launched in North America this month.
The vehicle is being fitted with 235/50R20 100V size tyres. Part of a new generation of highway terrain equipment, the Geolandar X-CV is designed to balance high-speed performance and drivability with safety, comfort and fuel efficiency.
The tyres supplied for the C-HR feature Yokohama’s "E+" mark, indicating technology tailored to the specific requirements of electrified vehicles, such as increased durability and reduced road noise.
Development was conducted through HAICoLab, the company’s proprietary artificial intelligence framework. The system aims to merge human creativity with data processing to accelerate digital innovation in tire design.
The Geolandar X-CV is already used across several models in Toyota’s electric lineup, including the Lexus RZ and the bZ in North America.
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