Michelin Launch Pilot Sport EV for Electric Sports Vehicles

As the demand for electric vehicles increases, we learn more about what it takes to maintain them, and new products are developed to meet their needs.

Until recently, the premium tyres options available for electric sports cars were much the same as those available for traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powered vehicles.

EV’s are known for their high torque and acceleration output as well as significant weight increase over ICE cars. This results in tyres wearing down quicker on EV’s and owners replacing them more often than usual.

As a founding partner of Formula E, Michelin have been able to gather unique data and expertise in the tyre requirements of performance EV’s.

As a result of over six seasons of Formula E experience, Michelin have designed the Michelin Pilot Sport EV. The brand’s first tyre designed to address the specific demands of electric sports cars.

The Michelin Pilot Sport EV launched in April and has been designed to offer optimal grip on dry and wet roads throughout the tyre’s entire lifecycle - through the incorporation of ElectricGrip Compound TM technology.

This features a hard compound in the centre of the tread to provide the extra grip required to handle the high torque of electric sports cars as well as increasing the lifespan of the tyre.

The sidewall will also carry the same pattern and velvet-finish markings as seen on Michelin’s Formula E tyre.

The low rolling resistance of the electric vehicle tyres can also improve range by up to 37 miles vs the standard Michelin Pilot Sport tyre and also offers 20 percent less road noise thanks to Michelin AcousticTM technology in the form of a custom-developed polyurethane that reduces cabin noise.

As EV’s are silent, road noise is often the most notable sound from inside the cabin, so this will be a relief to many EV drivers.

The tyre is expected to be available throughout Europe from the third quarter of 2021.