Michelin’s electric vehicle tires reduce rolling resistance by 20%, allowing for extended driving range, emphasized Manager Kim Byung-joo from Michelin’s tire products and technology division.
On the 16th, Michelin Korea held a forum titled ‘Michelin EV Tire Tech’ at their office in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
Michelin is the pioneer in developing tires with significantly enhanced durability. In 1949, they introduced the ‘radial tire’, which wrapped fibers or steel within the tire construction, increasing durability by 2 to 3 times, and began marketing it under the name Michelin X.
Manager Kim explained that over the past 20 years, they have improved rolling resistance by 20%, and plan for an additional 10% improvement by 2030. The role of tires in vehicles is critical; no matter how advanced the car’s powertrain, if the tires cannot provide adequate resistance, the overall performance becomes meaningless.
Additionally, Manager Kim noted, “As electric vehicles typically have increased body weight, lateral forces are also heightened during cornering. Hence, resistance to sudden steering situations is essential.”
Entering the era of electric vehicles, Michelin is showcasing significant advancements in dedicated tires for EVs. Michelin’s EV tires are built to withstand heavy loads from battery weights of several hundred kilograms, more than traditional combustion engine vehicles.
Michelin has validated tire traction capable of withstanding high torque and regenerative braking through their involvement in Formula E. Manager Kim mentioned, “Electric vehicle tires feature a two-layer tread compared to conventional internal combustion engine tires and utilize stronger polyurethane materials inside for improved ride comfort and noise reduction.”
With these remarkable advancements, Michelin supplies original tires specifically designed for electric vehicles to manufacturers like Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. Additionally, through a partnership agreement with Hyundai since 2017 for electric and luxury segment models, Michelin tires have been exclusively fitted on the Ioniq 5 model.
In the electric vehicle era, Michelin is gaining recognition for its technological prowess among global automakers, solidifying its reputation.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr