New Continental tyres deliver 30km of additional range for Renault
In this instance, the German supplier has partnered with the French carmaker to improve the efficiency of EVs. As part of this strategic collaboration, Continental developed a tyre for Renault Group’s innovation team that delivers rolling resistance up to 35 per cent lower than the threshold required for the EU tyre label’s grade A rating. The project builds on the EcoContact 7, a summer tyre for electric vehicles launched last year, which Continental customised to meet Renault Group’s specific requirements.
To achieve this, the company from Hanover developed a specially modified tread rubber compound, complemented by a bespoke sidewall design and an optimised tyre structure. The result is a tyre that, for a battery range of 500 kilometres, delivers an additional 30km per charge – equivalent to the distance from Paris to Versailles.
“Together with Renault Group, we are improving the efficiency of its new electric vehicles. Our tailor-made tires have very low rolling resistance, which significantly increases range,” says Dr. Christian Strübel, Continental’s expert for passenger car tyre rolling resistance.
“Extremely low rolling resistance is key to enhancing the range of electric vehicles. With Continental, we have a strong partner by our side: thanks to our long-standing collaboration in original equipment, we can jointly develop solutions that have the potential to deliver real added value for our customers,” says Nicolas Champetier, Vice President of Innovation at Renault Group.
Rolling resistance accounts for around 20 to 30 per cent of a car’s energy consumption, whether it is a battery-electric vehicle or an internal combustion engine car. The lower the rolling resistance, the less energy is lost through the tyre’s natural deformation and friction on the road. For electric vehicles, this is particularly important: lower rolling resistance directly reduces energy consumption and, consequently, extends range. However, tyres cannot be optimised solely for low rolling resistance, as they must also provide sufficient grip for safe braking and stable handling on asphalt.
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