by Michelin Introduces New Tires for Electric Vehicles
In the world of electric vehicles, efficiency is one of the top priorities. The farther a car can travel, the less often the battery needs to be charged. This is why many manufacturers focus on improving aerodynamics so that their electric cars overcome air resistance with minimal losses. Tires also play a crucial role in efficiency, and Michelin seems to have made a significant step forward by introducing special tires for electric vehicles.
The French company has just introduced its new summer tires, the Michelin Primacy 5 Energy and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Energy. They will be available in a range of different sizes, making them ideal for a wide spectrum of electric vehicles.
Key Advantages of the New Tires
Primacy 5 Energy: Maximum Efficiency
Those focused on efficiency will be most interested in the Primacy 5 Energy model. It has an A rating for rolling resistance and, according to the manufacturer, when installed on an electric vehicle, it can increase the range by up to 10%, adding up to 70 kilometers. On internal combustion engine vehicles, it can improve fuel efficiency by up to 6%.
During durability testing on a Volkswagen ID.3, this tire showed better results than competitors from Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, and Pirelli.
Compared to its predecessor, the braking distance improved by up to 8%, both on new tires and when the tread depth is only 2 mm.
Functionalized elastomers, new resins, and an improved tread architecture contribute to the tire’s enhanced performance. The tire is available in 33 sizes from 16 to 19 inches.
Pilot Sport 5 Energy: Efficiency and Sport
Car owners looking for a more sporty but still efficient tire should pay attention to the new Pilot Sport 5 Energy. It includes a new Energy Passive compound on the tread shoulders to reduce rolling resistance. This same tire was used by Mercedes-AMG with its record-breaking GT XX concept.
During testing on a Tesla Model Y, this tire showed better results in braking on wet and dry surfaces than competitors from Hankook and Pirelli, and also outperformed them in durability.
The growing popularity of electric vehicles is stimulating tire manufacturers to adapt their products to the specific needs of these vehicles. This concerns not only reducing rolling resistance to increase range but also accounting for the greater weight of electric vehicles, instant torque, and the need to reduce noise levels. Investments in technologies such as new elastomers and tread architecture indicate that the industry is preparing for a future where electric vehicles become dominant. The success of these tires in independent tests against leading competitors also highlights that innovations can simultaneously improve several key parameters without sacrificing one for another.
