Continental has developed a low-rolling-resistance tire for Renault Group that, the company reports, can add about 19 miles (30 kilometers) of range to an electric vehicle rated at 311 miles (500 kilometers) per charge. Built on the EcoContact 7 and tuned to Renault Group’s specifications, the tire cuts rolling resistance by up to 35 percent below the level required for the EU tire label’s top A rating, according to Continental. The two companies developed it under a strategic partnership in which Continental serves as a technical partner to Renault Group’s “Garage Futurama” innovation platform, and unveiled the tire at Renault Group’s “Sustainability Tour” in Guyancourt, near Paris, earlier this month.
Highlights
- Up to 35 percent lower rolling resistance than the EU tire label’s top A rating requires, according to Continental
- About 19 miles (30 kilometers) of added range for an EV rated at 311 miles (500 kilometers) per charge — roughly the distance from Paris to Versailles
- Based on the EcoContact 7, with a modified tread compound, a customized sidewall design, and a revised tire construction
- Rolling resistance accounts for 20 to 30 percent of a vehicle’s energy consumption, regardless of drivetrain
- Continental says it now saves up to 10,000 physical test tires a year through virtual development
How the Tire Extends EV Range
The starting point was the EcoContact 7, which Continental adapted to Renault Group’s requirements by combining a modified tread compound with a customized sidewall design and a revised tire construction. The company reports the result cuts rolling resistance up to 35 percent below the threshold for the EU tire label’s top A rating, translating to roughly 19 miles (30 kilometers) of additional range on a vehicle rated at 311 miles (500 kilometers) per charge.
“Together with Renault Group, we are improving the efficiency of its new electric vehicles. Our tailor-made tires have very low rolling resistance, which significantly increases range,” said Dr. Christian Strübel, Continental expert on the rolling resistance of car tires.
The tire was fitted to the Renault R-Space Lab concept shown at the event, and the partnership builds on what Nicolas Champetier described as a long-standing original-equipment collaboration between the two companies.
“Extremely low rolling resistance is key to enhancing the range of electric vehicles. With Continental, we have a strong partner by our side: thanks to our long-standing collaboration in original equipment, we can jointly develop solutions that have the potential to deliver real added value for our customers,” said Nicolas Champetier, VP Innovation at Renault Group.
Why Does Rolling Resistance Matter for EV Range?
Rolling resistance accounts for roughly 20 to 30 percent of a vehicle’s energy consumption, regardless of drivetrain, according to Continental. The lower the rolling resistance, the less energy a tire loses to deformation and friction as it rolls along the road. For electric vehicles, that reduction translates directly into lower energy use and can help extend driving range. Tires also remain the vehicle’s only contact with the road, and the friction between tread and asphalt provides the grip needed for effective braking and stable handling.
Virtual Tools Cut Thousands of Test Tires
Continental and Renault Group relied on virtual development and testing rather than physical prototypes alone. Continental’s Driver-in-the-Loop simulator allowed the tire’s characteristics to be evaluated and optimized under realistic driving conditions early in development, while Renault Group’s ROADS driving simulator digitally replicated real-world conditions for reproducible testing. Combining the two systems let the companies replicate test scenarios and accelerate development while reducing the need for physical test tires. Continental says it now saves up to 10,000 test tires a year through such methods.
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