Apollo Tires has introduced specific Electric Vehicle (EVS) tires for electric passenger vehicles and electric two-wheelers – Apollo Amperion and Apollo WAV respectively. Both new tire lines are designed with approximately 30% less rolling resistance, which extends the vehicles battery life. Additionally, the new line of EV tires are equipped with increased tread, ply and sidewall load capacity to handle instantaneous acceleration. Additionally, the new Apollo Amperion range of tires for electric vehicles has been awarded a 5-star rating by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a new standard for all vehicles sold in India. However, this new range will be aftermarket equipment. Currently, the company supplies its tires to Tata Motors and MG Motor India.
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Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tires Ltd said: “Tyre design and manufacturing has always evolved with automobiles. Our teams have invested years of research into understanding the changing dynamics and demands of vehicles in the EV space to perfect the product we are launching today. We are already in talks with several OEMs in India to supply these tires for EVs and are aiming for the lion’s share of the EV space in India, in the PV and two-wheeler segments.
Apollo Amperion claims to offer best-in-class rolling resistance, a low-noise electric tread design and an aerodynamic sidewall, which will cater to a range of segments in the EV space such as sedans and compact SUVs as well than sedans. Apollo claims that the new Apollo Amperion tire line will be applicable to EVs such as the Tata Nexon, MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona and other upcoming EVs. The company will offer these tires in 16-inch and 17-inch wheel sizes.
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The Apollo WAV range of e-two-wheeler tires are designed for low rolling resistance, low weight and high traction to withstand initial torque, ideal for high-powered e-scooters. This range of Apollo WAV tires are ideal for electric scooters such as TVS iQube. Bajaj Chetak and Ather 450. Additionally, due to current low demand, the company plans to develop e-motorcycle specific tires in the next phase, although a timeline is yet to be confirmed. The company will offer these tires in a 12-inch wheel size.
The need for EV-specific tires will increase in the future as sales of these wheel alternatives increase, as these tires are different in terms of the components used, tire design, and construction. Additionally, EV tires use the latest generation polymers, traction resin and other raw materials to handle the instantaneous acceleration of EVs, and therefore require improved tread and rubber compounds. It also helps to increase the battery life of the electric vehicle, as it has an increased load capacity in the tread, ply and sidewalls. 
Recently, JK Tire also introduced smart EV-specific radial tires for electric cars and aims to introduce a line of EV-specific tires for buses, trucks and LCVs. The company said its new line of EV tires is aimed at electric cars that require ultra-low rolling resistance with improved wet and dry traction, contributing to the extended battery range of EVs.
