Even if it is difficult to spot the difference from the outside: The tires of electric and hybrid cars are different from the conventional tires fitted to combustion engine automobiles. But why do electric cars need special tires? Here are the four main reasons.
1. The tires of hybrid and electric vehicles have to bear more weight
This is a crucial difference between vehicles with electric motors and vehicles with combustion engines: the weight. The batteries installed in electric cars are a lot heavier than a full fuel tank, so the tires must be designed to bear correspondingly higher loads.
2. E-tires must apply a higher torque to the road surface
Where conventional automobiles usually reach their peak performance only when they’re nearing their maximum speed, electric motors can almost deliver full power right from the start. For the E-tires this means that they must have a particularly good grip on the road to convert the high torque of the electric motor directly into acceleration. A special material composition can reduce the high tire abrasion.
3. The tires must offer the least possible rolling resistance
One thing is especially important for all owners of E-vehicles: The mileage range the vehicle can cover until the battery has to be recharged. Many vehicle parts help to optimize the range. For example, by keeping the rolling resistance as low as possible, the tires can contribute significantly to reduced energy consumption. However, every good manufacturer knows that a low rolling resistance must not be achieved at the expense of safe driving characteristics.
4. The tire noise should hardly be audible in the vehicle
No humming, no roaring engine: Electric cars only make a low humming sound when driving slowly. Even at increasing speeds, the engine volume hardly changes. However, from speeds of 20 km/h upwards, another noise can be heard – and it comes from the tires. The rolling noise of the tire must be kept at a low level to avoid discomfort for the vehicle occupants.
Components of a car tire
How we at Continental meet these requirements:
- The higher weight of electric and hybrid vehicles is compensated for by a more load-bearing carcass construction.
- To keep tire abrasion low, we modify the tread design and the tread compound.
- With our ContiSilent technology we put a kind of foam layer inside the tire to keep the tires road noise at a low level.
- The tread compound, tread profile design and sidewall construction contribute to very low rolling resistance and lower overall weight.
- Balancing all these tire characteristics guarantees a high level of driving safety.
Associated with this article:
Conti.eContact
Minimum rolling resistance, short braking distance and reduced noise for compact electric vehicles.
EcoContact 6
Low energy consumption, low wear & tear and good handling for a wide range of vehicles.
ContiUrban HA3
Maximum safety, long durability and a comfortable ride – optimized for use on electric buses.
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