Electric Vehicles Impact on Tire Design
Welcome to this information quick hit edition of the fourth revolution, brought to you by Bartell. I’m James Kent. Today I'm going to talk about the impact electric vehicles have on tire Design.
Environmental concerns have primarily driven the increasing popularity of electric cars, but the impacts of electric vehicles reach further than reducing carbon emissions. As the differences between electric and gasoline-powered cars become more evident, the automotive industry must adjust to support these new demands. One major area of research and development is in the tire industry.
Tire design and manufacturing have evolved along with the automobile over the decades, and the electric vehicle phenomenon is another step in this journey. How will electric vehicles impact the tire market? Is the tire wear different? Will new specialty tires be in demand?
The tire design must support the goal of optimizing the vehicle range of electric cars on a single charge while delivering high performance and a long lifecycle. With over 200 variables involved in tire design, including tread design, material selection, manufacturing process, construction, and sidewall design, this is no easy task.
Tires are a critical component of overall electric vehicle performance. Differences in torque, mass, size, and rolling resistance each have a noticeable effect on the tire function and longevity. High--performance electric vehicles, such as Teslas, can wear out a set of tires in just 8,000-12,000 miles if driven hard.
Michelin’s R&D team has been working tirelessly to deliver tires optimized for electric vehicles. Making tires for about 45 percent of the electric vehicles produced in the United States, Michelin dedicates much of its track time to electric vehicles. The effort has paid off as Michelin has made numerous advancements, including improving rolling resistance performance for electric vehicle tires.
Electric vehicles are freeing drivers from the dependence on gasoline. These technologically advanced cars offer drivers a clean and comfortable ride, but tire wear is a major concern. Without the proper tire, this smooth ride could be cut short.
At Bartell, we provide cutting-edge solutions for the tire and rubber industry. Helping build more efficient, effective, and safer tires for a wide range of vehicles, including the newest EVs, Bartell continues to improve manufacturing by delivering enhanced technologies.
If you’d like to learn more about Bartell’s equipment for manufacturers in the tire and rubber industry, go to www.bartellmachineery.com/markets/tire-rubber.