Branded Content: Designed for the future

When tyres were first invented, they were nothing but bands of leather or steel wrapped around the wheel. Back in the time of carts and wagons, these proved to be adequate. But as mobility evolved, so did the demands people have from their tyres. Cars became faster, loads became higher, roads became better… The simple tyre has had to keep evolving to meet all these demands and it did – through radial construction, better compounds, purpose-built tread designs and so much more. And now, the world stands at a crucial juncture that is yet again demanding more from the tyre. As we slowly shift away from ICE-powered cars, the requirements from a tyre have changed. Rolling resistance and acoustic dampening, among others, have come to the forefront as must-haves. And as always, the humble tyre has stepped up to the challenge. Leading the charge is CEAT with its EnergyDrive EV range of tyres.

Built to fit

But before we delve deeper into the story behind EnergyDrive EV, let’s take a look at what makes an EV tyre different. Well, the simple answer is that the requirements from an EV tyre are very different from that of a traditional tyre. For example, one of the biggest factors that changed when migrating to electric mobility is that the acoustic insulation stopped being as much of a problem as before. Electric engines run much quieter than their petrol-powered counterparts. But this meant the other noises get highlighted rather drastically, mainly tyre noise. So, suddenly, tyres needed to run more silently. Similarly, with one of the barriers to EV adoption being range anxiety, every single component had to be as efficient as possible to maximise range. This meant tyres had to have very low rolling resistance. Electric motors also deliver maximum torque right from standstill. Again, tyres had to accommodate for this and make sure they’re up for the challenge. And they should do all this while looking pleasing to the eye. Tall order, no? Good thing CEAT had stepped up and delivered exactly what was needed – the EnergyDrive EV.

Driven by design

CEAT’s EnergyDrive EV tyres have been designed and engineered keeping in mind the specific needs of the EV segment. Everything that was demanded, it delivers. And to aid in that, CEAT’s R&D team created technology that addresses specific concerns that ICE tyres had when adapted for EV use.

As mentioned earlier, in the absence of an ICE, tyre noise gets seriously amplified in the cabin. To address this, CEAT worked extensively with its engineers to come up with a patented new material that reduces the noise generated within the tyre cavity. Called CEAT Acoustic Lowering Material technology or CALMTyre, the material reduces tyre noise by filtering and absorbing vibrations within the tyre, leading to a quieter driving experience. The material consists of two layers, an outer fabric layer that allows sound waves to pass through without being reflected back and an inner felt layer that absorbs the sound waves. Unlike the other materials used in the industry like PU foam, rubber/EVA materials and non-woven fabrics, CALMTyre is significantly more efficient in absorbing noise, is easier to install and is able to take the shape of the tyre cavity.

In addition to CALMTyre technology, CEAT also worked on the external design to optimise noise management. Its SleekGroove and ContraAir-wall technologies along with the Asynchronous Pitch sequence that has been used in the external design of the EnergyDrive EV uses specific changes in tread design to address rolling noise by better managing airflow, and hence, reducing resonance.

On a roll

The second advantage CEAT’s EnergyDrive EV offers is an extended driving range through reduced rolling resistance and energy loss. One of the ways CEAT does this is using EasyFlex Cavity design. As tyres deform in various driving surface conditions – over small undulations or potholes or bad surface quality – there is significant energy loss that happens. This directly leads to reduced range, since the energy from the batteries now must not only propel the car, but also deal with the road conditions. The EasyFlex Cavity reduces the strain put across the tyre by these road conditions and helps reduce rolling resistance. This, along with HPFiller technology, uses an enhanced polymer-filler ratio to further reduce rolling resistance, and lower abrasion allows the EnergyDrive EV to enhance driving range in EVs.

EnergyDrive gets DuraBlock technology, which improves tangential and lateral stiffness to better withstand instant high torque characteristics of EVs.

The EnergyDrive EV tyres also address another crucial difference in EV and ICE cars – the lack of a power band. Since EVs deliver all of their torque right from the start, the need for the tyres to take load is significantly higher. CEAT’s DuraBlock technology does this by using a high contact tread that uses improved block stiffness to reduce flex and i-block resistors which further enhance block strength. Both of these allow the tyre to retain its structural integrity under hard acceleration and help arrest energy loss.

But as important as function is, form isn’t something that CEAT ever turns a blind eye to. Aesthetics is as important a part of a tyre as its functional aspects. And considering the EnergyDrive EV’s scope of use, CEAT went to the perfect place for inspiration when it came to the tread design – plugs and PCBs. What better look for an EV tyre than a design that harks back to its power source!

EnergyDrive features an innovative Sipe Design for better wet grip.

With so much innovation packed into one package, CEAT’s EnergyDrive EV is very close to being the perfect EV tyre. It addresses the three main concerns that the transition from ICE cars to EVs have highlighted. And while there will be more demands from the humble tyre in the future, it feels great to know that tyre manufacturers like CEAT have already started work on future-proofing our mobility.