MUNICH, Germany — Continental A.G. has unveiled a "total-energy efficiency" concept tire, the Conti CityPlus, that it claims could increase the range of electric vehicles by up to 3%.
Launched during the IAA Mobility Show in Munich, the tire is based on Conti's EcoContact 6 series and has an "optimized behavior" during stop-and-go traffic in urban driving.
The concept tire includes a range of modifications designed, including a distinct tread pattern, newly constructed carcass and modified rubber compound, to reduce tire deformation during braking and acceleration, Conti said.
The tread features a special stiffened V-shape pattern structure, while a new construction method results in a firmer carcass for reduced tire deformation, Conti said. A special system of fillers and an optimized polymer network in the rubber compound also contribute to the tire's high overall energy efficiency.
Conti said it set out to tackle energy losses associated with the stop-and-go patterns associated with urban traffic. This type of traffic causes torsional deformation of the tires in response to the applied torque, causing energy to dissipate in the process.
Finding ways to overcome these losses is especially beneficial for EVs, Conti said, because their higher torque and added weight amplify energy loss in tires.
