Continental has announced that it is expanding its market share in the tyre segment for fully electric vehicles, with six of the world’s ten highest-volume manufacturers of electric vehicles selecting the brand as original equipment.
These included Tesla with its Model 3 and Model S and Volkswagen with the ID.3. Also Asian manufacturers, for example BYD, one of China’s largest car producers, rely on Continental tyres as original equipment for their electric vehicles, said the tyre maker in a release.
Continental said, low rolling resistance is particular in demand for electric cars that focus on efficient driving. In this case, many manufacturers rely on the EcoContact 6, in which it uses the Green Chili 2.0 rubber compound.
The special compound of natural rubber and other components shows significantly improved behavior during mechanical deformation. This results in lower rolling resistance and therefore lower energy consumption.
When developing the EcoContact 6, Continental was able to reduce rolling resistance by 15 percent compared with its predecessor, added the company.
According to the tyremaker, with the PremiumContact 6, it is offering a balance between efficiency, sportiness and comfort. The SportContact 6 is a tire for the top-performance segment with a focus on handling and steering precision. Thanks to its stability and brake performance, it is designed for safety at high speeds.
The engine noise is no longer present, so electric car drivers attach greater importance to low rolling noises. High-quality vehicles with a high level of comfort therefore also use ContiSilent technology when it comes to their choice of tires.
A special foam layer absorbs the vibrations of the road and therefore reduces the transmission of noise into the vehicle interior. This is particularly important for electric vehicles, as there are no engine noises and the motor runs very quietly.
