米(mi)其林針對高功率電(dian)動跑車開發了Pilot Sport EV輪胎,并表示由(you)于采用了低(di)滾動阻力的(de)(de)胎面(mian)膠料和(he)設(she)計,以及使用了隔音(yin)聚氨酯泡沫,這款輪胎的(de)(de)續(xu)航里程(cheng)最多可延長37公里,同時可降低(di)20%的(de)(de)路(lu)面(mian)噪聲。(米(mi)其林)
全球材料科學與工程(cheng)公司Smithers開發(fa)(fa)的力(li)和(he)力(li)矩(ju)測(ce)試機通過測(ce)試原型產(chan)品(pin)在(zai)不同載荷下的轉向順(shun)應性、轉彎性能和(he)制動(dong)(dong)距(ju)離(li)等因素,幫助輪胎開發(fa)(fa)商改進(jin)電動(dong)(dong)汽車輪胎。(Smithers)
米(mi)其(qi)林(lin)技術(shu)交流總監Russell Shepherd(米(mi)其(qi)林(lin))
固特異消(xiao)費輪(lun)胎(tai)技(ji)術(shu)和新輪(lun)胎(tai)研發高(gao)級總監Dave Zanzig(固特異)
3噸重的大(da)眾ID.Buzz小型(xing)貨車使用(yong)的是高(gao)負荷 “HL”等級的大(da)陸 ProContact TX 10 輪(lun)胎,這些(xie)輪(lun)胎不是電(dian)動車專(zhuan)用(yong)的,但(dan)標明與電(dian)動車兼(jian)容(rong)。(John O'Dell)
固(gu)特(te)異(yi)(yi)開發的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)ElectricDrive 2在(zai)(zai)原有ElectricDrive的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)基礎上(shang)提(ti)高(gao)(gao)了濕地牽引(yin)力(li)。與前一代(dai)產(chan)品相(xiang)比(bi),它還具有更長的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)耐(nai)磨性(xing),并且使用了至少50%的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)可持續材料(liao)。固(gu)特(te)異(yi)(yi)增加(jia)了胎面花紋塊和胎肩上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)狹窄水(shui)平縫(feng)隙,以增加(jia)咬合邊緣的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)數量,從而提(ti)高(gao)(gao)在(zai)(zai)濕滑路面上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)牽引(yin)力(li)。輪胎圓周上(shang)更寬(kuan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)溝槽和胎面花紋塊之間胎肩上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大凹槽有助于排水(shui),提(ti)高(gao)(gao)抗水(shui)滑性(xing)。(固(gu)特(te)異(yi)(yi))
大陸(lu)集團不生產 “電(dian)(dian)動(dong)汽(qi)車專用” 輪(lun)(lun)胎,但(dan)會(hui)在一些(xie)輪(lun)(lun)胎上標(biao)注 "EV √"字樣,以表明這些(xie)輪(lun)(lun)胎適用于電(dian)(dian)動(dong)車。這款 Premium Contact 7 高性能(neng)輪(lun)(lun)胎的額定載(zai)荷為 XL 或超重。(大陸(lu)集團)
Advan Sport EV A/S 是優科豪馬一(yi)款廣受歡迎的(de)(de)(de)運動型輪胎的(de)(de)(de)電(dian)動車版本。其設計目的(de)(de)(de)是在承受電(dian)動車較重重量的(de)(de)(de)同時,提(ti)(ti)供(gong)舒適安靜的(de)(de)(de)駕(jia)乘體驗。與(yu) ElectricDrive 2 一(yi)樣,它使用高(gao)二(er)氧化硅化合(he)物來提(ti)(ti)高(gao)胎面壽(shou)命,并(bing)采用專門(men)設計的(de)(de)(de)溝槽、凹(ao)槽、溝槽和胎面花紋塊(kuai)尺寸和布局來降低噪音和提(ti)(ti)高(gao)濕地性能。(優科豪馬)
優(you)科(ke)豪(hao)馬乘(cheng)用(yong)車輪胎(tai)產品(pin)規劃高級(ji)經理Drew Dayton(優(you)科(ke)豪(hao)馬)
電(dian)動車通常比尺寸相(xiang)近的(de)(de)內燃機車重(zhong)(zhong)20-30%。為(wei)了安全(quan)地支(zhi)撐和(he)管理(li)這(zhe)一額外的(de)(de)重(zhong)(zhong)量,電(dian)動車需要使(shi)用重(zhong)(zhong)載(zai)輪胎。實際上,為(wei)了應對市場上日益(yi)增長的(de)(de)電(dian)動車,重(zhong)(zhong)載(zai)(HL)輪胎標(biao)準已于2021年推出。在輪胎充氣至同等胎壓的(de)(de)情況下,重(zhong)(zhong)載(zai)輪胎較先(xian)前的(de)(de)負(fu)荷(he)增強型(XL)標(biao)準輪胎具(ju)有更高的(de)(de)負(fu)載(zai)能力。
但是即便(bian)使(shi)用了重載輪胎(tai)(tai),電動車的額外重量(liang)和較高(gao)的瞬時扭矩仍會(hui)導(dao)致輪胎(tai)(tai)與路面之間的摩擦力增加。因此(ci),許(xu)多電動車車主會(hui)發(fa)現(xian)其輪胎(tai)(tai)磨損得(de)更快,俄亥俄州阿克倫市全球材(cai)料科學與工程公司Smithers的咨詢(xun)業務副總裁Josh Guilliams告訴SAE。該公司在測試與協助(zhu)開發(fa)輪胎(tai)(tai)方面積累(lei)擁(yong)有超過99年(nian)的經驗(yan)。
輪胎制造商指(zhi)出,可惠及電(dian)動(dong)(dong)車的(de)許多改進工(gong)(gong)作,尤(you)其(qi)是在降噪(zao)和提高能效方面(mian)的(de)工(gong)(gong)作,早在電(dian)動(dong)(dong)車普及之前就已開(kai)始了。南卡羅(luo)來納(na)州格林維爾市米(mi)其(qi)林北美(mei)公(gong)司技術交流總監Russell Shepherd向SAE表示(shi),豪華SUV的(de)出現為(wei)研發(fa)胎噪(zao)更(geng)低的(de)輪胎提供了最初動(dong)(dong)力,因為(wei)大車廂(xiang)更(geng)容易(yi)放大路面(mian)噪(zao)聲。此外(wai),美(mei)國輪胎制造商協會(U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association)高級副總裁兼(jian)總法(fa)律顧問Tracey Norberg告訴SAE,早在電(dian)動(dong)(dong)車問世前,聯(lian)邦燃油效率法(fa)規就已開(kai)始推動(dong)(dong)低滾動(dong)(dong)阻力輪胎的(de)開(kai)發(fa)了。
但電動(dong)(dong)車(che)的(de)(de)問世及(ji)其(qi)市場份額的(de)(de)增長,促使輪(lun)(lun)胎(tai)制造商進一步加快研發(fa)同時適用于(yu)電動(dong)(dong)車(che)和內(nei)燃機車(che)的(de)(de)工藝和技(ji)術。其(qi)中最(zui)主要的(de)(de)一項是在(zai)輪(lun)(lun)胎(tai)空腔(qiang)內(nei)使用隔音泡沫塊或泡沫條,以(yi)(yi)減少(shao)胎(tai)噪。位于(yu)阿(a)克(ke)倫市的(de)(de)固特異輪(lun)(lun)胎(tai)橡膠(jiao)(jiao)公司的(de)(de)消費輪(lun)(lun)胎(tai)技(ji)術與新(xin)型(xing)輪(lun)(lun)胎(tai)研發(fa)高級總監Dave Zanzig向(xiang)SAE表示(shi):這(zhe)種專門設計的(de)(de)泡沫塊可(ke)減少(shao)車(che)廂內(nei)由空腔(qiang)共振造成的(de)(de)噪聲,最(zui)高降幅可(ke)達50%。其(qi)它(ta)重要技(ji)術還(huan)包括旨在(zai)提高胎(tai)面(mian)壽命、低(di)滾阻和高牽引(yin)力(li)的(de)(de)新(xin)型(xing)橡膠(jiao)(jiao)膠(jiao)(jiao)料(liao)(通常為專利(li)材料(liao)),以(yi)(yi)及(ji)旨在(zai)改善潮濕天氣(qi)操控(kong)性(xing)和降噪的(de)(de)胎(tai)面(mian)設計。專為提升胎(tai)面(mian)耐磨性(xing)能(neng)而使用高硬度膠(jiao)(jiao)料(liao)制造的(de)(de)輪(lun)(lun)胎(tai)尤其(qi)注重這(zhe)一方面(mian)。Guilliams表示(shi),合成彈性(xing)體(ti)膠(jiao)(jiao)料(liao)“顯著提升了(le)輪(lun)(lun)胎(tai)在(zai)牽引(yin)力(li)、滾動(dong)(dong)阻力(li)和磨損均(jun)衡方面(mian)的(de)(de)性(xing)能(neng)。”
與壓力等級為32 psi的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)標(biao)準負(fu)(fu)載(zai)(SL)輪胎相(xiang)(xiang)比(bi),相(xiang)(xiang)同尺(chi)寸的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)XL輪胎和HL輪胎的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)壓力等級可(ke)達到(dao)42 PSI。負(fu)(fu)載(zai)指(zhi)數為94的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)XL輪胎的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)承重能力略低于1500磅(680 kg),而負(fu)(fu)載(zai)指(zhi)數為98的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)同尺(chi)寸HL輪胎的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)承重能力則(ze)略高于1600磅(726 kg)。HL輪胎的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)結(jie)構(尤其是側壁)更為堅(jian)固,能夠滿足重型(xing)電動卡車(che)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)需求,比(bi)如新上(shang)市的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大眾ID. Buzz,該車(che)型(xing)為雙電機(ji)全(quan)輪驅動,整備質量(liang)高達3噸以(yi)上(shang)。
重(zhong)載輪(lun)胎對汽車(che)制造商而言意(yi)義非凡,因(yin)為如果(guo)不使(shi)用重(zhong)載輪(lun)胎,就必須(xu)使(shi)用尺寸更大的車(che)輪(lun)和輪(lun)胎,這將導致整車(che)重(zhong)量增加,而且(qie)輪(lun)拱空(kong)間(jian)也需要(yao)擴大,不僅會(hui)降低能效,還會(hui)占用寶貴的儲物空(kong)間(jian)和客艙空(kong)間(jian),降低電(dian)動車(che)的競爭力。
固(gu)特異(yi)是(shi)研(yan)(yan)發可持續材(cai)料的(de)(de)(de)(de)公司(si)(si)之一(yi)。該公司(si)(si)與(yu)供應(ying)商以及大學合作(zuo)研(yan)(yan)發出了一(yi)種從(cong)稻殼灰燼中(zhong)提取二氧(yang)化(hua)(hua)硅(gui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)方法(fa)(fa)。二氧(yang)化(hua)(hua)硅(gui)是(shi)輪(lun)胎(tai)(tai)膠料中(zhong)提高(gao)耐磨(mo)性(xing)和牽引(yin)力(li)的(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)種關鍵成分。在全球范圍內,每(mei)年(nian)都有數百萬噸稻殼被(bei)用(yong)于焚(fen)燒發電(dian),而固(gu)特異(yi)研(yan)(yan)發的(de)(de)(de)(de)這一(yi)方法(fa)(fa)不僅緩解了日益減少的(de)(de)(de)(de)全球沙儲量的(de)(de)(de)(de)消耗(hao)(以沙為原料的(de)(de)(de)(de)二氧(yang)化(hua)(hua)硅(gui)約占輪(lun)胎(tai)(tai)重量的(de)(de)(de)(de)40%),還(huan)避免了二氧(yang)化(hua)(hua)硅(gui)含量較(jiao)高(gao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)稻殼被(bei)填(tian)埋。Zanzig稱,固(gu)特異(yi)還(huan)“用(yong)大豆油代替(ti)石油,并(bing)利(li)用(yong)生物質生產先進(jin)聚(ju)合物”。他補(bu)充說,固(gu)特異(yi)針對電(dian)動車研(yan)(yan)發的(de)(de)(de)(de)ElectricDrive 2輪(lun)胎(tai)(tai)“含有50%的(de)(de)(de)(de)可持續材(cai)料”。
電(dian)動車專用(yong)輪胎通常(chang)注(zhu)重降噪、延長(chang)胎面壽命和提高(gao)效(xiao)率等性能(neng),如(ru)固特異的(de)(de)Electric Drive 2、優科豪(hao)馬(Yokohama)最(zui)近推(tui)出的(de)(de)Advan Sport EV A/S、普(pu)利司通的(de)(de)Turanza EV、倍耐力的(de)(de)P Zero AS Plus Elect和米其林的(de)(de)e.Primacy等輪胎。
優科豪馬輪(lun)胎(tai)(tai)(tai)北美(mei)公司位于(yu)(yu)加州圣(sheng)塔安,公司的乘用(yong)(yong)車(che)輪(lun)胎(tai)(tai)(tai)產品規劃高級經理(li)Drew Dayton告訴(su)SAE,輪(lun)胎(tai)(tai)(tai)設計所針(zhen)對的特性需求各有側重,因此種類繁多。他與(yu)大陸集團(tuan)的Liu持相同(tong)觀點,認(ren)為所有尺寸合適(shi)的輪(lun)胎(tai)(tai)(tai)均適(shi)用(yong)(yong)于(yu)(yu)電動(dong)車(che)和內(nei)燃機(ji)車(che)。即(ji)便如此,該(gai)公司還是推出(chu)了Advan Sport EV系列,旨在最大限度延長胎(tai)(tai)(tai)面壽命,同(tong)時保持“可接受(shou)的操控性、滾動(dong)阻力(li)和噪聲水平”。
Zanzig表(biao)示:“在推動電動車輪胎性能優化的(de)(de)創新(xin)的(de)(de)背后(hou),確實有真(zhen)正的(de)(de)技術(shu)作為(wei)支撐。”
To EV or not EV? It’s a question more and more motorists are asking as they look to purchase replacement tires for the electric vehicles that grace their garages. Should they buy special “EV tires,” or just look for good tires that fit their electron-gulping cars and light trucks? Tire engineers know it’s not a silly question and that OEMs have their work cut out for them on the education front. A 2023 Michelin survey found 83% of motorists, including half of all EV owners, didn’t understand the different tire needs of EVs and ICE cars and trucks.
EVs Are Different
A tire designed for an ICE sedan might work well on a comparable EV, but chances are that unless specifically designed to be especially quiet, energy efficient, or to carry heavier-than normal loads, it likely will disappoint in terms of tread life and perhaps other characteristics such as noise.
EVs can easily be 20-30% heavier than similarly sized ICE vehicles. Safely supporting and managing that extra weight requires a tire with a high load rating. In fact, the “High Load” (HL) designation was developed in 2021 in response to the growth of EVs in the market as a way to signal a tire with higher load capacity than one built to the former XL standard, when inflated to the same pressure.
Even so, an EV’s extra weight and instant torque create higher levels of friction where the rubber meets the road. The result is that many EV drivers find their tires wear out faster, Josh Guilliams vice president of consultancy for Smithers, a global materials science and engineering company based in Akron, Ohio, told SAE Media. Smithers has been testing and helping develop tires for more than 99 years.
While a quality set of “normal” long-wearing passenger car tires might last for up to 60,000 miles, an equivalently sized EV’s tires might need replacement after as little as 30,000 miles. Drivers of sporty EVs with lots of horsepower and torque might be lucky to see 10,000 miles out of a set of tires, Guilliams said.
Increased cabin noise is also a potential issue. Without the benefit of an ICE to mask high-frequency tire and wind noise, EV makers have had to step up their game in cabin soundproofing, enlisting tire makers to design ever-quieter tires to help keep cabins peaceful.
Finally, fuel efficiency is important to most EV drivers, which drives demand for tires with low rolling resistance since reduced friction between the tire and the road increases an EV’s ability to eke more distance out of every watt of energy in its battery pack.
Adapting to EVs
Tire makers point out that work on many improvements that benefit EVs, especially in noise suppression and efficiency, started long before plugging in modern cars was a thing. The advent of luxury SUVs whose large cabins tended to amplify road noise fostered the first efforts for quieter tires, Russell Shepherd, technical communications director for Michelin North America Inc., in Greenville, South Carolina, told SAE Media. And it was federal fuel efficiency regulations, which began long before the advent of EVs, that began the drive to develop tires with lower rolling resistance, Tracey Norberg, senior vice president and general counsel for the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, told SAE Media.
The arrival and growth of electric vehicles in the market pushed tire makers to speed up the development of techniques and technologies that benefit both EVs and ICE vehicles. Chief among them are the introduction of sound-deadening foam blocks or strips inside tire cavities to help reduce tire noise. The specially designed foam pieces can reduce air resonance, which finds its way into the passenger cabin as noise, by as much as 50%, Dave Zanzig, senior director of consumer tire technology and new tire development at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., in Akron, told SAE Media. Other techniques include new (and generally proprietary) rubber compounds to improve tread life, rolling efficiency and traction, and tire tread designs aimed at improving wet weather handling and noise reduction, especially in tires made with harder compounds to maximize tread wear. Advancements in synthetic elastomer compounds have provided “enhancements in terms of traction, rolling resistance and wear balance,” Guilliams said.
The industry also developed High Load or “HL” tires to handle higher air pressure, which provides more weight-bearing capacity, without increasing in size. HL tires are used on vehicles heavier than the SUVs and vans for which the decades-old XL – Extra Load – rating was developed.
Compared with a standard load (SL) tire with a 32 psi pressure rating, the same-sized XL and HL tires might be rated for 42 PSI. While an XL tire with a load index of 94 can carry just under 1,500 pounds (680 kg), a same-sized HL-rated tire gets a load rating of 98 and can carry just over 1,600 pounds (726 kg). An HL tire has more rugged construction, especially in the sidewalls, to handle the weight of hefty EVs such as the newly introduced Volkswagen ID.Buzz, which tips the scales at just over three tons in its dual motor, all-wheel drive configuration.
HL tires are important to automakers because the alternative – going to bigger wheels and tires – adds even more weight and often requires larger wheel well capacity. That can eat into energy efficiency as well as valuable cargo and passenger cabin space, making that EV less competitive.
Weighing Tradeoffs
Developing tires, for any type of vehicle, is “a game of checks and balances,” Joshua Sortor, product and quality director for Discount Tire, told SAE Media. The Arizona company also owns the America’s Tire chain, the online retailer Tire Rack, and the highly regarded Treadwell tire testing, evaluation and recommendation tool.
“Once you meet the load rating, it comes down to what it is you are looking for in the tire. A lot of EV owners want a quiet tire that’s very efficient, but efficiency generally sacrifices lifespan, and it’s also harder to get good winter and wet performance with a high-efficiency tire,” Sortor said.
Michelin’s family of Primacy tires, for instance, includes a line called the e.Primacy aimed at EV and hybrid owners as well as at motorists seeking maximum tread life. The ICE-oriented Primacy 4 is designed for traction and gets an “A” rating for wet grip and a “B” rating for rolling resistance. A same-size e.Primacy, designed for long tread life, gets an “A” for rolling resistance but a “B” for wet grip.
E – It’s Also for Eco-Friendly
Some tire makers also have seized on the notion that EV buyers are particularly environmentally conscious and have made sustainability a feature of tires aimed at electric and hybrid vehicle owners.
Goodyear is among those developing sustainable materials. In collaboration with suppliers and universities, the company developed a method of extracting silica, a key ingredient in tire compounds that improves wear and traction, from ashes of rice husks that are often burned by the millions of tons to generate electricity worldwide. As a result, Goodyear has reduced its consumption of the world’s declining sand reserves – approximately 40% of a tire’s weight is silica – and the silica-laden husks aren’t going into landfills. Goodyear also “uses soybean oil instead of petroleum oil and is making advanced polymers from biomass,” Zanzig said. The company’s ElectricDrive 2, a tire aimed at EV owners, “has 50% sustainable content,” he said.
The Cost Factor
One drawback to EV tires is that they can cost as much as 20% more than comparable tires without EV-specific features. The higher cost is a function of their unique materials, more rugged construction and low-volume sales, which makes it harder for manufacturers to recoup R&D, materials and marketing costs without increasing prices, said Bob Liu, research and development director for passenger cars and light trucks at Continental Tire the Americas in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
PR or Substance?
Goodyear ’s Zanzig maintains there is real technology behind EV labeling, that it’s not just PR. Continental ’s Liu, on the other hand, said that EV-labeled tires “are more focused on marketing than performance” and that “competition, not EVs, is driving tire improvements.” Both Goodyear and Continental belong to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, which takes the stand that, special label or not, a properly sized tire that meets or exceeds the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications can function on both EVs and ICE vehicles. While a tire doesn’t have to be labeled “EV” to be an EV tire, such labeling can help consumers, said Discount Tire’s Sortor.
In general, EV-specific tires such as the Electric Drive 2, Yokohama’s recently introduced Advan Sport EV A/S, Bridgestone’s Turanza EV, Pirelli’s P Zero AS Plus Elect and Michelin’s e.Primacy are designed to favor attributes such as quietness, long tread life and fuel efficiency.
Tires are designed to prioritize specific goals, which leads to many varieties, Drew Dayton, senior product planning manager for consumer tires at Yokohama Tire Corp, North America, in Santa Ana, California, told SAE Media. He’s of the same school as Continental’s Liu, holding that all properly fit tires are suitable for either EV and ICE use. Even so, the company does make the Advan Sport EV line, designed for maximum tread life with “acceptable levels of handling, rolling resistance and noise.”
So, EV or Not?
The consensus among tire makers, backed up by findings from Discount Tire’s testing program, is that a tire is only as good as its load, speed, wear and weather and terrain ratings. When those things match or exceed the vehicle OEM’s tire requirements – usually posted on a label fixed to the driver’s side door jamb or the inside of the glovebox door – it shouldn’t matter whether the sidewall says anything about EVs or not. But tires specifically designed for EVs can offer electric vehicle owners additional benefits.
“There is definitely a need for tires that are customized to support the unique performance attributes of EVs,” Guilliams said, noting that tire makers have invested “significant resources” into developing tread formulations to extend an EV tire’s life without sacrificing grip or rolling resistance.
“There’s real technology fueling the innovation behind optimizing tire performance for electric vehicles,” Zanzig said.
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