Tyres for electric cars: a key element of electric mobility
New sensations, best tyres for electric cars
Acceleration, braking, torque, noise level... driving an electric car offers a brand-new experience. A simple test-drive and you’ll feel like you’re on a flying carpet, with only the sound of the wind and the tyres for electric cars in the background. A champion of sustainable mobility for both road and track, Michelin has long been exploring electric vehicle tyre technologies, notably via its involvement in Formula E, which it has been a partner of since its first season in 2014. High-level electric competition has served as its development and technology-transfer laboratory, particularly in the field of energy efficiency to offer the best possible tyres for electric cars.
The range challenge of electric cars
The future of electric vehicles is in part dependent on their range, which is a major factor driving public adoption. Range can be extended by opting for a more energy-efficient driving style and using regenerative braking whenever possible. But that is not enough. So car manufacturers are investing heavily in Research & Development programs to create ever more efficient and energy-dense batteries. But the downside is that batteries are becoming heavier and heavier, which in turn leads to accelerated tyre wear. For tyre manufacturers, this represents a double challenge: tyres for electric cars need to carry heavier loads while still providing excellent longevity. Michelin successfully rose to the challenge by developing two tyres: MICHELIN e.Primacy and MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV.
MICHELIN tyres for electric cars: boost the range of your battery
With its high elasticity elastomer, the MICHELIN e.Primacy tyre delivers excellent performance in the EV category in terms of both longevity and rolling resistance. It increases the range of an electric car by 7%(1), equivalent to an extra 30 km on a 400 km trip. Which can prove very useful at the end of a trip when one needs to reach the nearest charging station. The MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV tyre, designed for sportier driving, offers extremely low rolling resistance thanks to its GreenPower Compound technology, resulting in a 60 Km(2) range increase. For drivers wanting to make the most of their vehicle’s potential, this energy efficiency improvement - thanks to electric car tyres - can really make a difference.
Sporty driving goes electric!
They say that electricity travels at the speed of light. One thing’s for sure, the acceleration of a high-performance electric car can be truly explosive if it has the right tyres for electric cars fitted. MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV is a street-legal electric car tyre, designed for sporty driving and developed leveraging Michelin’s experience in Formula E. It is capable of handling the extreme acceleration and mass distribution typical of these vehicles. The MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV tyre accomplishes this thanks to its ElectricGrip Compound TM technology, which makes use of high rigidity rubber. Suitable for sporty driving when tyres are worked hard, it provides optimal grip in both dry and wet conditions. Thus, the MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV tyre delivers lots of driving fun while guaranteeing performance and safety.
From cycle racing to e-bikes
Today 1 in 5 bicycles sold are e-bikes. Michelin meets the needs of cycling enthusiasts with its Ready range of e-bike tyres. The MICHELIN PROTEK model features excellent ruggedness and grip, for a safe ride through town in all weather conditions. For e-cyclists, this means fewer punctures and better electric assistance.
LEGAL MENTIONS
(1) Greater range and lower CO2 emissions – New, the MICHELIN e-PRIMACY tyre offers an average of 2kg/t less rolling resistance than the competition, equivalent to a fuel saving of up to 0.21L/100km. This corresponds to a 5g reduction in CO2 emissions for a VW Golf 7 1.5 TSI, and a 7% increase in range for a VW e.Golf. Rolling resistance tests, conducted on machine by Applus Idiada on Michelin’s request, in June (new tyre) and August (2 mm buffed) 2020, on dimension 205/55 R16 91V.
(2) Better range for high-performance electric vehicles –In-house rolling resistance study, carried out in 10/2020, on dimension 255/45 R19, comparing the MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV tyre (6.47kg/t) to the MICHELIN Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyre (8.8kg/t). For an electric vehicle weighing 2,151kg, with a range of 540km, this difference of 2.3kg/t results in a range increase of over 60km, equivalent to a 10% improvement over the original range.