NEV Tire Market Boom & Driving Factors

NEV Tire Market Boom 2024: Growth Drivers, Tech Innovations & FAQ Guide

The global NEV tire market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, becoming a core growth engine for the entire tire industry. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that the global NEV stock exceeded 14 million units in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 35%. This surge directly drives the demand for NEV-specific tires, with the market size expected to reach $48.2 billion by 2030, up from $15.7 billion in 2024. The CAGR of 19.8% far outpaces that of traditional fuel vehicle tires (about 4.2%).

Two key factors are fueling this growth. First, the unique performance requirements of NEVs: compared with fuel vehicles, NEVs have heavier body weight (due to battery packs) and faster torque output, which put higher demands on tire load-bearing capacity, wear resistance, and grip. For example, the average weight of a mid-sized pure electric sedan is 1.8-2.2 tons, 20%-30% heavier than the same-class fuel vehicle, requiring tires to have a load index of at least 100 (corresponding to a load capacity of 800kg per tire). Second, policy support for green travel: countries around the world have introduced policies to promote NEV development, such as China's "New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan (2021-2035)" and the EU's "Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate", which indirectly drive the upgrading of the NEV tire industry.

From the competitive perspective, major tire enterprises are accelerating their layout in the NEV tire market. Michelin launched the e.Primacy series, which reduces rolling resistance by 20% compared with traditional tires; Bridgestone's Alenza Sport A/S EV tires are specially designed for high-performance NEVs, with a wear life increased by 15%. Domestic brands are also breaking through: our company's newly developedEV-Pro series tires have passed the testing of leading NEV manufacturers such as BYD and NIO, with rolling resistance coefficient (RRC) as low as 6.8kg/t, reaching the international first-class level. The competition in the market is no longer limited to price, but focuses on core technologies such as material formulas and structural design.

2. Product Technology: Core Innovations of NEV-Specific Tires

NEV-specific tires have achieved breakthroughs in manufacturing craftsmanship to meet the extreme working conditions of electric vehicles. The most notable is the "dual-layer tread molding technology" adopted by our EV-Pro series: the outer layer uses a high-hardness rubber compound (Shore hardness 68A) to enhance wear resistance, while the inner layer uses a low-hardness compound (Shore hardness 52A) to absorb road noise. During the vulcanization process, we use a 3D intelligent temperature control system, which controls the temperature error within ±0.5℃, ensuring that the tire rubber molecules are evenly cross-linked, and the wear resistance is improved by 22% compared with traditional craftsmanship.

Material innovation is the core of NEV tire performance improvement. We have developed a "silica-carbon black composite reinforcement system": by adding nano-scale silica (particle size 15-20nm) and modified carbon black, the rolling resistance of the tire is reduced by 18%, while the wet grip performance (measured by the European ECE R117 standard) reaches Grade A. For the tire carcass, we use aramid fiber (tensile strength up to 37cN/dtex) instead of traditional polyester cord, which reduces the carcass weight by 10% and increases the load-bearing capacity by 15%. In addition, we are experimenting with bio-based synthetic rubber (made from corn straw) in the sidewall, which can reduce carbon emissions by 30% during the production process, in line with the global low-carbon trend.

Intelligent integration is another development direction of NEV tires. Our EV-Pro tires can be equipped with a built-in tire pressure monitoring system （TPMS) and temperature sensor, which can transmit real-time data such as tire pressure, temperature, and tread wear to the vehicle's central control system. When the tire pressure is 10% lower than the standard value or the temperature exceeds 80℃, the system will issue an alarm immediately. This function not only improves driving safety but also helps NEV manufacturers realize "predictive maintenance" of vehicles, reducing after-sales costs for users.

3. Practical Guide: FAQ & Application Cases

Application Case: Cooperation with a Leading NEV Manufacturer

Recently, our company has reached a strategic cooperation with a leading domestic NEV manufacturer (model X series). We have customized EV-Pro tires for their new pure electric SUV. The tires have a 22-inch size, a load index of 105, and a speed rating of Y (up to 300km/h). After 100,000km of road testing, the tire wear is only 3.2mm, and the rolling resistance coefficient remains stable at 7.0kg/t, which can increase the vehicle's cruising range by 8% compared with the original supporting tires. The first batch of 100,000 sets of tires has been delivered, and the market feedback is excellent. Many users reported that the tire noise is significantly lower than that of competing models, and the driving comfort is greatly improved.

Frequently Asked Questions About NEV Tires

•    Q: Why do NEVs wear tires faster than fuel vehicles?
A: There are three main reasons: 1. Heavier body weight increases the pressure on the tire contact area; 2. Instantaneous large torque during acceleration causes partial slippage between the tire and the ground; 3. Regenerative braking system changes the force mode of the tire. Under normal use, NEV tires wear 10%-20% faster than fuel vehicle tires. Choosing tires with high wear resistance (such as our EV-Pro series with wear resistance index 420) can effectively extend the service life.

•     Q: How to maintain NEV tires in winter?
A: For NEVs used in cold regions (temperature below 0℃), it is recommended to replace winter-specific NEV tires. Such tires use a low-temperature flexible rubber compound, which remains elastic at -20℃, avoiding hardening and reducing grip. At the same time, check the tire pressure regularly: the tire pressure decreases by about 0.1bar for every 10℃ drop, and maintaining the standard tire pressure can prevent increased rolling resistance and reduced battery life.

•      Q: Can NEV tires be repaired after being punctured?
A: It depends on the location and size of the puncture. If the puncture is in the tread area and the hole diameter is less than 4mm, it can be repaired by cold patch or hot patch; if the puncture is in the sidewall or the hole diameter exceeds 6mm, it is not recommended to repair, and the tire should be replaced immediately. Note: After repair, the tire should not be used as a front tire for high-speed driving to ensure safety.