German automotive supplier Continental has introduced a new urban traffic tire concept for improved energy efficiency, which has the potential to increase EV driving ranges.

Conti CityPlus boosts tire energy efficiency by 10% and passenger car range by 3%, corresponding to EV savings of 0.6 kWh per 100 km, the company said. Conti CityPlus uses Continental’s EcoContact 6 series tires and prevents tire deformation during braking and acceleration. It has a specially-designed tread pattern, new carcass construction and modified rubber compound. The tread strip’s V-shape design stiffens the structure. The system of fillers and enhanced polymer network also contribute to the tire’s energy efficiency.

Continental started production in July of its UltraContact NXT tires, which contain up to 65% renewable, recyclable and ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials. All 19 tire sizes received the highest EU tire label ratings for wet grip, pass-by noise and rolling resistance.

“It is important to look at the energy efficiency of tires as a whole. This includes free rolling as well as braking and acceleration. The result is up to 10% greater energy efficiency with the same rolling resistance levels,” explains Klaus Kreipe, Head of Continental Tires’ original equipment business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Source: Continental