Michelin presents the first tire for electric sport cars

Posted 2 September 2021

Michelin pneumatici EV electric sport carsauto sportive elettriche

The Michelin Pilot Sport EV tire is the result of the progress the company has achieved over six seasons in Formula E, especially developed to meet the needs of electric sport cars. The special tire incorporates ElectricGrip Compound technology which features a hard compound for the centre of the tread to provide the grip required to cope with the high torque characteristics of electric sport cars. Meanwhile, the sidewalls of the latest addition to the Michelin Pilot Sport family carry over the same pattern and velvet-finish markings of Michelin’s Formula E tire.

The Michelin Formula E tire is effectively capable of racing whatever the weather conditions, while its size – 19 inches – is consistent with current road-car norms. The tire offers optimal grip on dry and wet roads, irrespective of the tire’s level of wear and taking into account the higher weight and peculiar weight-distribution associated with electric sport cars. Pilot Sport EV also offers outstanding resistance to wear in respond to high torque and acceleration forces that are typical of these cars. Its low rolling resistance extends range up to 60 kilometers to enable drivers to enjoy the potential of their electric sport cars to the full.

The use of Michelin Acoustic technology achieves 20% less perceptible road noise, taking the form of a custom-developed polyurethane foam that reduces cabin noise for even greater enjoyment behind the wheel of electric vehicles.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the life of its tire and address the demands of electric sports car owners, Michelin has pledged to neutralise the CO2 emissions associated with the tire’s production and transport to its point of sale. This process includes the financing of projects aimed at offsetting and absorbing the residual CO2 emissions associated with tire production through the Livelihoods carbon fund until the day comes when it will be possible to eliminate them entirely.

The company is currently the only manufacturer that is active in the original-equipment and replacement electric sports car tire market. The Pilot Sport EV will be rolled out in the course of 2021 in a choice of 16 sizes (original equipment: 11 sizes / replacement market: 5 sizes) for 18- to 22-inch rims.

Twenty-inch Michelin Pilot Sport EVs have been type-approved for the new Tesla Model Y which is already marketed in China. As well, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV will be a global tire and will be available on vehicles in Europe and North America later in 2021. By 2024, Michelin plans to increase its sales in this high-growth market by a factor of eight.