By Ertugrull Bahan, Senior Tyre Expert

Electric cars will surely be more on board than in recent decades. They are becoming more popular, more commercial, the market volume of the middle and upper classes will increase more than today. The inconsistencies associated with high sales costs and a short battery charge distance are generally overlooked. Brand popularity depends mainly on entry price and customer service.

New brands for the production of electric cars will appear on the market. The manufacture of high-tech electric cars becomes easier and more convenient because fewer transmission components are used than conventional cars. However, the spectrum and capacity of AI determine the comfort of mobility. Solid software support for brand awareness will therefore be more dominant than the physical parts of the vehicle.

Low weight and cheaper batteries

Humanity must still be patient with flying cars! Next generation cars will be purely electric, so the total load will always be borne by wheels and tyres.There is still a space where the weight of electric cars can be reduced with lighter and additive manufacturing features. However, these are not yet completely possible for industry.The battery of an electric car is today the heaviest part of the vehicle and weighs around 500 kg. The weight of the batterywill determine the all aspects of the electric car.Due to the total body weight, todayelectric car tyres are not light load tyres and their size depends on the total weight of the car. New lighter battery technologies will shape future electric cars and their tyres. Technical reasons point to tall tire sizes with a rim size of 19 inches and more with a smaller cross-sectional width and stiffer sidewall for electric car tyres.

Electric car manufacturers must plan long distances on a single charge anyway. Any successful design of vehicle parts therefore aims for low energy consumption. Higher battery weight, more braking energy and larger brake pedals hinder this goal. The regenerative ability feature braking and driving downhill are therefore on the table and the preference for a working electric car.

Quieter, lighter, easier to grip tyres

It is reasonable for automakers to expect energy efficient electric car tyres.In this regard, the tyres should have less rolling resistance, but should also contain a rubber composition that manages the current torque of the electric motors. The high torque and weight of the heavy vehicle challenge optimal performance. Better grip, lower rolling resistance and better tyre wear performance require opposite directions of the magic triangle. The use of silica-silane has already been carried out with conventional tyres. This means that the structure and material of electric car tyres have a unique design and must be different from conventional car tyres.

Electric cars offer a quiet driving experience, so any noise source other than the low-noise electric drive train is annoying to the driver. A larger outside diameter with a stiffer sidewall and a high inflation and cavity are disadvantageous for a better noise level. If a shallow skid depth is used for better pattern noise, wear resistance will decrease. However, a high instantaneous torque mainly requires better tyre wear. Because other performance parameters are balanced during the development phase, including wet and dry traction, life is not easy for tire manufacturers as they need of many newsizes after the spread of electric vehicles in all segments. All bring us the concept of "active tyres" also referred to as "intelligent tyres," which means that all necessary services are available in good time if necessary. However, this is a completely new and challenging area, consisting of the possibilities of non-air-filled tyres and the use of nano-additives in traditional blends. Otherwise, electric car tyres will also be a mixture of today's technologies. They will be the best possible compromise for the most important parameters.

New technologies, government incentives to prevail

Other technological developments for powerful tyres for electric cars will prevail.Developing foam layer technologies for tire noise reduction is one alternative for quit tyres.  Previous foam filled tyres as alternative to run-flat technologies will be on scene for the purpose of lowering the tire and road noise for a better riding performance of an electric car and its tyres.

Around 2 million electric car sales is expected to reach to ten times more in ten years in overall world and electric car volume reaches 530 total million market volume in 20 years. Many countries will ban diesel engine and limit gasoline fuel car sales. Governments will play major roles shaping the global market with incentives. 30% less noise and 20% less rolling tyres will be average technology and requirements of next tire labeling requirements. Future tyres will be anyhow more technological. Caching up all has to be started by better power of will and imagination.   

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Hankook Tire has launched its new e-Vantra FlexClimate all-season tyre as original equipment for the popular Volkswagen Crafter van. Supplied in the size 205/75 R16C 113/111R, this development marks a significant expansion of the company's portfolio within the light commercial vehicle sector. While debuting on the Crafter with conventional drive technology, the tyre was engineered to address the specific demands of both electric and internal combustion engine vans. A release on the replacement market is also planned for the near future.

The tyre’s design prioritises core commercial vehicle requirements, including high load capacity, exceptional durability and resistance to wear. A key feature is its reinforced sidewall, which is constructed to reliably absorb high transverse forces and ensure stable and safe handling, even when the vehicle is fully loaded. This structural integrity is further enhanced by a multi-reinforced bead structure and an optimised bead filler height, providing outstanding stability across diverse driving conditions.

Performance is augmented by a tread compound with a high silica content, functionalised polymers and special resins. This combination is engineered to deliver excellent wet braking performance, high durability and reduced rolling resistance. The tread pattern itself incorporates advanced 3D sipe technology to improve block rigidity, promote a uniform wear pattern and ensure reliable traction. An innovative zigzag sipe pattern provides added grip on snow and mud. Consequently, the Hankook e-Vantra FlexClimate carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification, confirming its suitability for use in severe winter conditions.

Jongho Park, President and COO, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “With our appointment as an original equipment manufacturer for the VW Crafter, we are underlining our commitment to continuing to expand our product portfolio in the van segment and to offering innovative solutions to meet the diverse requirements of our commercial customers. The Hankook e-Vantra FlexClimate combines numerous characteristics that make it ideal for demanding everyday use. This product focuses on state-of-the-art technologies that enhance efficiency and safety, ensuring it is well equipped to meet changes in the sector.”

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Bridgestone, a global leader in high-performance tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, has been selected as the sole tyre supplier for Lamborghini’s new Fenomeno supercar. This exclusive partnership reinforces Bridgestone’s role as Lamborghini’s Official Technical Partner, a collaboration spanning five years and covering the entire Lamborghini lineup, including the Huracán STO, Revuelto and now the ultra-exclusive Fenomeno.

Limited to just 29 units, the Fenomeno commemorates two decades of Lamborghini’s in-house design excellence. Powered by a record-breaking 1080 CV V12 engine, it accelerates from 0-100 kmph in 2.4 seconds and 0-200 kmph in 6.7 seconds, making it the fastest Lamborghini ever. To match this performance, Bridgestone developed custom Potenza Sport tyres, engineered for ultra-high-speed stability, precise handling and optimal grip. Available in 265/30 ZRF21 (front) and 355/25 ZRF22 (rear) sizes, these tyres also feature Run Flat Technology, allowing drivers to travel up to 80 km at 80 kmph even after a puncture.

For enthusiasts seeking track-level performance on public roads, Bridgestone offers a semi-slick variant, homologated for street use while delivering race-inspired grip. Both tyre options were developed using Bridgestone’s Virtual Tyre Development (VTD) technology, which enhances sustainability by reducing prototype waste, cutting testing time by 50 percent and lowering CO2 emissions by up to 60 percent during production.

Radoslaw Bolkowski, Vice President OE Sales at Bridgestone EMEA, said, “Our longstanding partnership with Lamborghini is rooted in a shared passion for innovation, excellence and top performance. With the Fenomeno, our team had the challenge of unleashing the full potential of Lamborghini’s most powerful V12 ever – and they’ve delivered. The custom-engineered Bridgestone Potenza tyres offer the control, grip and precision needed to enhance this car’s exceptional capabilities – on both the road and track.”

Christian Mastro, Lamborghini’s Marketing Director, said, “At Lamborghini, design and performance go hand in hand – and with Bridgestone, we have a partner who understands both. Tyres are a vital part of how a supercar performs: outside of technical updates, 70 percent of the improvements in these cars today come from advances in the tyres they sit on. Bridgestone’s bespoke Potenza line-up ensures that every drive in the Fenomeno can deliver against this vehicle’s stunning speed and power.”

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Bridgestone participated in the global launch of the Lamborghini Temerario in Estoril, Portugal, as the Official Technical Partner of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., reinforcing their exclusive collaboration. As the sole tyre supplier for the new model, Bridgestone developed a tailored tyre range to enhance the Temerario’s capabilities, featuring the Potenza Sport and Potenza Race for summer road and track performance, alongside the Blizzak LM005 winter variant.

During the event, approximately 400 attendees experienced firsthand the synergy between the Temerario and its custom Bridgestone tyres, testing their performance on the track. Guests also visited the Bridgestone Corner, where they interacted with the engineers behind the tyre development and gained insights into the technology powering these high-performance solutions. The occasion showcased the pinnacle of innovation and partnership, highlighting Bridgestone’s commitment to delivering excellence for Lamborghini’s latest supercar.

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Nexen Tire has strengthened its position in the European original equipment (OE) market through a new partnership with Stellantis, supplying high-performance tyres for the Citroën C5 and C5 Aircross SUVs. The agreement highlights Nexen’s growing influence among global automakers.

The approved tyre, the N'FERA Sport (size 225/60R18 104V XL), is a summer tyre designed for superior high-speed stability, wet grip and braking performance – qualities that complement the Citroën C5 series’ dynamic driving experience. Produced at Nexen’s Czech Republic facility, the tyres meet stringent OE standards for quality, sustainability and supply chain efficiency.

The N'FERA Sport has earned widespread acclaim, securing top ratings in 2025 tests by leading European automotive organisations. Germany’s ADAC and AutoBild Sportscars awarded it a ‘Good’ rating, while Switzerland’s TCS deemed it ‘Very recommendable’. Austria’s ÖAMTC also recognised its strong performance, reinforcing its reputation as a premium summer tyre.

This collaboration reflects Nexen Tire’s strategic push to expand its OE business with top-tier automakers, further solidifying its global footprint in the competitive tire industry.

Edwin van der Stad, Vice President Europe Original Equipment at Nexen Tire, said, “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Stellantis by being selected as an OE supplier for the Citroën C5/C5 Aircross. This collaboration highlights our technological capabilities and commitment to delivering high-performance, reliable tyres to global automakers.”

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