Japanese tire makers release new products exclusively for electric vehicles

Major tire manufacturers are rolling out products designed exclusively for electric vehicles, partly because more electric trucks are being used in the logistics sector due to labor shortages and environmental concerns. Demand for replacement tires for electric passenger vehicles is also increasing.

In June, Toyo Tire Corp. began selling tires exclusively for electric light trucks. The company has developed a unique groove shape on the surface that improves wear resistance by 21 percent compared to conventional light truck tires.

Light trucks are responsible for delivering goods to consumers over the “last mile,” the last stretch to the consumer’s doorstep. The surface of their tires is subject to significant wear because drivers are frequently accelerating and braking.

EV bodies are also heavier than gasoline vehicles because EVs are equipped with large-capacity batteries, which means their tires wear out faster. That’s why Toyo Tire has developed a product exclusively for EVs for the first time.

In March, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. released a new product for light-duty electric trucks that optimizes the tire’s contact patch. The product can reduce excess heat generation, which reduces electricity consumption, which is equivalent to the fuel consumption of gasoline-powered vehicles.

Tire makers are accelerating development of products for light-duty electric trucks as the vehicles are increasingly used in the logistics industry to alleviate labor shortages. Workers can drive them if they have a driver’s license for standard motor vehicles.

It is said that tires play a greater role in the electricity consumption of electric vehicles than in the fuel consumption of gas vehicles. With the proliferation of electric passenger cars, new tires have also been launched in anticipation of the demand for replacement tires.

Bridgestone Corp. launched a new tire in February that is also compatible with EVs. To extend driving range, which is a problem for EVs, the product uses less rubber to reduce weight. The tire improves ride comfort and performance, while also reducing noise thanks to new groove shapes.

Typically, tires are replaced every three to five years. Since Tesla’s popular Model 3 entered the Japanese market in 2019, there has been a growing demand for replacement tires for electric passenger cars. Yokohama Rubber Co. has also developed a replacement tire for electric cars.