Proterra, a manufacturer of heavy-duty electric vehicles, is collaborating with Michelin to develop the MICHELIN X InCity Energy Z tire, a low rolling resistance tire designed and optimized for electric buses in urban environments. Proterra says the tire will be the standard tire offered for its Proterra Catalyst buses.

Michelin designed the X InCity Energy Z tires to help e-buses increase range by reducing rolling resistance and improve performance by increasing load-carry capacity and integrating better traction.

The new tire incorporates Michelin Advanced Technology tread compounds to provide low rolling resistance, and uses 3D Matrix sipe technologies to provide biting edges for traction in wet and slippery conditions. With this technology, the X InCity Energy Z is optimized for all-season weather and is certified 3PMSF (“three-peak mountain snowflake”) and M+S (“mud and snow”).

Proterra CEO Ryan Popple said, “We are a leader in the electric bus industry in battery technology but we’re also innovating to improve the efficient use of that stored energy. We were proud to introduce the first purpose-built, lightweight bus chassis to this industry, and we’re similarly excited to partner with a global leader like Michelin to bring the X InCity Energy Z tire to this market.”

Source: Proterra