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 design 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.   

Chinese automaker Zeekr has selected Continental's PremiumContact 6 tyres as original equipment (OE) for its Zeekr 001 electric sedan. The sedan will be fitted with 265/40 R22 106V XL FR size tyre, specially designed for dynamic and responsive handling while providing safety and comfort.

The tyres refined design guarantees control and strong cornering stability at higher speeds, while its superior grip performance guarantees efficient power transmission to the road. The tread's shape enables both precision steering and a fast reaction. Excellent safety and braking performance on both wet and dry roads are guaranteed by the unique silica rubber compound, which is made for safe driving in all weather situations. Additionally, the reduced rolling resistance contributes to longer battery life of the vehicle. Even on damp roads, the tyre provides excellent safety qualities, accurate handling and short stopping distances.

Continental's PremiumContact 6 tyre has been selected as original equipment (OE) by US car manufacturer Cadillac for its LYRIQ-V. The electric SUV will be factory-fitted with the premium tyre in size 22 inches.

At higher speeds, the PremiumContact 6's refined design offers control and strong cornering stability, and its superior grip performance guarantees that power is delivered to the road efficiently. Fast reaction and accurate steering are made possible by the circumferential groove design. The tyre's unique silica rubber formula ensures superior braking on both wet and dry roads, making it designed for safe driving in all weather situations. Furthermore, the reduced rolling resistance contributes to the vehicle’s longer battery life. The tyre also provides precise handling, low stopping distances and exceptional wet-weather qualities.

The main goals of Continental's tyre development are low rolling resistance, minimal rolling noise and high mileage. The tyre is safe, comfortable and made for dynamic, responsive driving. These characteristics are especially advantageous for electric vehicles like the LYRIQ-V. The tyres are made to handle the added weight of electric vehicles brought on by the battery because of their higher load index.

Global leading tyre company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) and renowned German luxury mobility brand BRABUS have unveiled a new brand film titled ‘Electrified, Hankook iON & BRABUS’. The video emphasises the two businesses' mutual love of cutting-edge technology and creative design principles for future transportation.

With this alliance, Hankook Tire and BRABUS are further solidifying their premium brand status. The two businesses are spearheading the electrification revolution in mobility with Hankook's world-first complete range of electric vehicle tyres, ‘iON’, and BRABUS's proficiency in customising high-performance electric vehicles. The iON evo SUV tyre consistently supports the fast, dynamic manoeuvrability of BRABUS cars by providing outstanding grip and accurate handling on both wet and dry track surfaces. Even in the busiest driving situations, it flawlessly muffles all road noise, greatly boosting the immersive feeling portrayed in the movie.

In the video, a BRABUS-customised Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 with Hankook Tire's iON evo SUV tyres exhibits exceptional driving capabilities on Germany's renowned Circuit Meppen circuit. Last year, in anticipation of its role as an Official BRABUS Technology Partner, Hankook Tire released a 10-second teaser video that garnered a lot of international attention before the full-length release. Hankook Tire's official worldwide YouTube and Instagram accounts now feature the whole brand film.

Nexen Tire has continuously increased its supply of original equipment (OE) tyres to international automakers over the years, and their most recent collaboration with luxury automaker BMW Group emphasises the company's rising industry awareness.

Thanks to a number of crucial design elements, N'Fera Sport tyres offer exceptional dry, wet and handling performance. N'Fera Sport has a block design for superior dry and wet handle performance at high speed and a larger longitudinal groove for better drainage performance in wet circumstances. Furthermore, the tyre uses the most recent tread composition to improve braking and grip, while sidewall reinforcements increase stability at high speeds, providing exceptional handling and stability when turning. Most notably, the tyre has an AI-optimised engineering technology-based optimal design that increases fuel efficiency and reduces road noise. The Nexen Tire Europe factory ensures exceptional quality and performance by producing these high-performance tyres with cutting-edge automation and competitive quality.

As of 2024, Nexen Tire distributes OE tyres to 118 models of international automakers, having begun delivering OE tyres to luxury manufacturers in 2016. This accomplishment is the result of Nexen Tire's ongoing R&D expenditures to create high-quality goods that highlight its state-of-the-art technology. By utilising virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the business also spearheads tyre development and intends to deepen its alliances with international automakers.

Travis Kang, Global CEO of Nexen Tire, said, “To supply original equipment tyres, tyre manufacturers must meet the high standards of safety and performance required by automakers. We will continue to expand our supply to premium brands, demonstrating our exceptional quality and technological prowess.”