Special tires for new energy vehicles: a gimmick?

One of the most popular concepts in China last year was new energy vehicle.

Centering on the concept, both automakers and parts producers made their greatest efforts to secure a share of the business in the new energy vehicle sector with significant potential.

So did the tire makers. In the Auto Guangzhou 2015 expo held at the end of 2015, a new concept of tire emerged: special tires for new energy vehicles.

Much attention had been paid to the concept tire developed by China’s Wanli Tire: Pioneer.

As other concept tires, features of the tire are similar to other popular ones: safe, environmentally friendly, energy-conservation.

According to the salesperson, Pioneer tire is China’s first run flat tire specially designed for new energy vehicle to secure driving safety; the tread adopts high-performance materials for antiskid and wear-resistant demands.

Meanwhile, plants such as canola oil, mandarin oil, and gutta-percha have all been associated with the tire.

But how the concept tire was generated?

Chen Miao, deputy general manager of Wanli Tire, said the tire was the outcome of the company’s ‘brain storm’ discussion.

Administrators of Wanli Tire reckoned that there are two directions for the development of tires: run flat tires and special tires for new energy vehicles. Theoretically, with the same battery, the lower the rolling resistance could be, the farer the vehicle will go. Accordingly, developing new tires with low resistance will be able to prolong new energy vehicle’s endurance.

So the special tires for new energy vehicles were born.

However, not everyone agree with the idea.

An industrial expert told Tireworld.com.cn that the ‘special tires for new energy vehicles’ are merely for propaganda because of popular concept about new energy vehicle in domestic market. Lowing roll resistance is the goal of all tire producers and the criteria is not only related to environmental protection and energy conservation, but also closely related to the labeling acts adopted in the Europe and Middle East.

Wanli Tire is a large exporter and low rolling resistance is a must for many of its products.