Explained: How EV ‘smart’ tires are different and the race to capture the Indian market – Times of India

As the electric vehicle (EV) wave gains traction by the day, component manufacturers are also not far behind in identifying new technological requirements and chasing first-mover advantage. From areas of acoustics (NVH level) in the car to better UI/UX and even tyres. Both traditional and new components are being redesigned for EVs and the new automotive world order.
In the past one week, two leading tire manufacturing entities, JK Tire and Apollo Tyres, have announced the launch of EV-specific tires for electric cars, bikes and scooters. So what makes a tire EV-specific? What are the criteria for an ideal EV tire and which technological advancements fit the bill? let’s find out.

In theory, an ideal EV-specific tire should have ultra-low resistance, superior wet and dry traction capability, high durability and low road noise. These features help EV-specific tires to improve vehicle range without sacrificing performance. EVs generally weigh more than their ICE counterparts, mainly due to the bulky battery pack sitting on a floor bed. To support this extra weight, EV tires also need to feature sturdier sidewalls.
JK Tire on July 29 unveiled its wide range of EV-specific ‘Smart Dial Tyres’. It is worth noting that the tire maker has developed EV tires for all categories of buses, trucks, light commercial vehicles and passenger cars in India. This puts JK Tire in a comfortable position as India’s mobility modes move towards electrification with each passing day. The ‘smart’ part of the EV tire range includes features such as an in-house developed Tree TPMS sensor system for tire pressure monitoring and an advanced tread pattern aimed at lower road noise. JK Tire reports that the tread pattern is designed using FEA simulation technology and offers superior wear characteristics as well.

Mr. VK Mishra, Technical Director, JK Tire & Industries Ltd. said, “With the growth of the EV sector in India, development of EV-oriented technology remains a major focus for the company. Our Smart Tire EVs are developed with distinctive next gen design philosophy to make the entire range smart, quiet, durable and energy efficient.
On the other hand, Apollo Tires also announced the launch of its EV-specific tire range on July 27. The EV tire range will be officially launched on August 1 for both passenger vehicles and two-wheelers. More details about the tires will be revealed at the time of launch. So stay tuned to TOI Auto for instant updates on Apollo’s EV-specific tires and their features.

Tell us what you think about the need for EV-specific tires with better rolling resistance and less road noise in the comments below. What other EV inspired changes are you excited about?