Apollo Tires launches EV specific tires for passenger cars and two wheelers
Gurgaon, India – Apollo Tires has introduced specific tires for electric vehicles (EVs) for both, passenger vehicles and two-wheelers. Apollo Amperion range of tires for the PV segment, whereas Apollo WAV range for the two-wheelers, were launched for the Indian market.
Apollo Amperion, with its best-in-class rolling resistance, low noise, electric tread pattern design and aerodynamic sidewall, will cater to the EVs in hatchback, compact SUV and sedan segments in India, like Tata Nexon, MG ZSE, Hyundai Kona and other upcoming EVs. Apollo Amperion has also become the first Indian tire to have received fuel savings label with 5-star rating for the PV category by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
Apollo WAV with its specialised design, low rolling resistance, low weight and high traction to resist the initial torque, will cater to the majority of high powered electric scooters available in the country, like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Ather 450. The company plans to develop EV tires for motorcycles in the next phase, considering the extremely low numbers in this category currently.
Commenting on the launch of EV tires, Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tires Ltd said, “Tire design and manufacturing have always evolved along with the automobiles. Our teams have invested years of research to understand the changing dynamics and requirements of vehicles in EV space to perfect the product that we are launching today. We are already in discussions with multiple OEMs in India to supply these tires for the electric vehicles, and will be targeting for a lion’s share in the EV space in India, in both PV and two-wheeler segments.”
Apollo Tires has come out with distinctive technologies to build these products. ‘AQuT Tech’ (Apollo Quiet Tire Technology), working on tire cavity, pattern and construction to reduce Noise. Also developed ‘BEST Tech’ (Battery Energy Saver Technology), deployed using ultra low RR technology package which helps extends battery range of the electric vehicle. The R&D Team has used Design Mood Board philosophy for design inspiration. Apollo Amperion design has been inspired by Jellyfish, being the most energy efficient and silent creature, and Apollo WAV is inspired by digital circuit board design.
EV tires might look similar to the ones used in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, they are very different in terms of components used, tire design and construction. EV tires use latest generation polymers, traction resin and other raw materials. To handle instant acceleration of the EVs, the tires handle more torque, which means an improved tread pattern and rubber compounds.
The EV tires usually are designed with lesser rolling resistance, amounting to around 30%. This results in the EV tires extending the battery range of the vehicles. The tires for electric vehicles have increased load bearing capacity at the tread, plies and sidewalls.