Continental released the Conti HAU 5 tire on Monday, an all-position tire designed specifically for urban city buses and compatible with electric vehicles (EVs).
Wheel loads on EVs can increase because of the weight of the batteries, meaning tires need higher load capacities. In order to efficiently convert the storage capacity of the batteries into maximum vehicle range, Continental says, the rolling resistance of the tires must be minimized.
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"As an EV compatible tire, the Conti HAU 5 is able to fulfill the needs of electric vehicles and help to reduce combustion engine emissions over the long term," says Shaun Uys, head of Continental's Truck and Tire Replacement Business in the U.S. "In combination with its EV Compatible check mark, this tire was designed with the needs of urban city buses in mind and has features that ensure safety and comfortability for passengers. We have seen the increase in the market share of electric and hybrid vehicles and we wanted to make sure that we provided a tire that not only fit the needs of where the market is today, but also where the market will be in the next few years."
S&P Global Mobility says 67% of buses registered in the U.S. as Class 4-8 vehicles in 2023 were classified as electric or hybrid, Continental says, and the CAGR of electric buses in the U.S. is projected to be 38% from 2023 to 2028.
The Conti HAU 5 is engineered with a new tread compound for a smooth and quiet ride, Continental says, and the tire also has the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake designation. It features a block tread pattern providing snow traction in milder winter climates.
The Conti HAU 5 is available in size 305/85R22.5, load range J. It has a 24/32nds tread depth and is available as an intelligent tire.