Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced its plans to introduce a new exclusive “E+” mark on its tires designed for passenger cars, trucks, and buses, which possess special attributes tailored to meet the requirements of electrified vehicles. This new “E+” mark is the latest initiative by Yokohama Rubber to address the growing demand for tires specifically suited for use on electric vehicles.
Electrified vehicles encompass various types, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
Tires installed on electrified vehicles face unique demands. They must possess the strength to endure the increased weight resulting from heavy electric batteries and handle the high torque output of electric motors. Additionally, these tires should contribute to a quiet ride, complementing the silence of the vehicle’s engine. Moreover, they are expected to enhance the vehicle’s energy efficiency and extend its driving range.
Yokohama Rubber has already been supplying original equipment (OE) tires to numerous electrified vehicles, including prestigious models like the BMW iX3, Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+, Lexus RZ, crossover SUVs from Toyota Motor (the bZ4X) and Subaru (the SOLTERRA), as well as mini-vehicles such as the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi Motors’ eK X EV. To further cater to the replacement tire market for electrified vehicles, Yokohama Rubber is intensifying its tire development efforts, leveraging the technological expertise gained through the production of OE tires.
Apart from prominently displaying the new “E+” mark on Yokohama tires that incorporate these advanced technologies to meet the specific demands of electrified vehicles, the mark will also be featured in tire catalogues and websites, providing customers with a clear indication of a tire’s suitability for use on electrified vehicles and facilitating their tire selection process. The inaugural tire to bear the “E+” mark will be the ADVAN Sport EV, an ultra-high performance summer tire for EVs, scheduled for release in Europe and other markets in the autumn of 2023.
