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Air pollution

Continental AG Highlights Crucial Role of Tires in Electrification of Commercial Vehicle Fleets in Europe

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Commercial vehicles account for around one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, with the European Union's EU Emissions Regulation requiring a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Continental AG has developed two tire lines, Conti Eco and Conti Efficient Pro, to increase fuel and energy efficiency in regional and long-distance transport, reduce CO2 emissions, and prepare fleets for electrification.

Key Takeaways:

  • Continental's Conti Eco and Conti Efficient Pro tire lines have been developed to increase fuel and energy efficiency in regional and long-distance transport, reduce CO2 emissions, and equip fleets for electrification. Hinnerk Kaiser, Head of Product Development EMEA at Continental, emphasizes that reduced rolling resistance combined with high mileage has a positive impact on the ecological footprint.
  • The tires' reduced rolling resistance has a direct impact on the vehicle's range, which is crucial for electric trucks and buses. Tires with low rolling resistance are the obvious choice, as this directly influences the vehicle's range. Hinnerk Kaiser notes that the further development of rolling resistance, wear behavior, and noise characteristics for alternative powertrains is currently the focus of Continental's tire engineers.
  • Fuel accounts for the largest share of CO2 emissions, with 937 g CO2eq/km attributable to fuel combustion and supply. For diesel semi-trailer trucks, fuel combustion accounts for 90% of CO2 emissions, and even with electric semi-trailers, 75% of CO2 emissions are still attributable to electricity supply.
  • Continental's tire engineers have developed the Conti Hybrid tire that delivers high mileage for regional transport with demanding stop-and-go traffic. Choosing the right tires when configuring new trucks is becoming even more important, especially in view of an emissions-based toll component within the EU.
  • The company's Conti Eco HS 5 and Conti Efficient Pro HS 5 lines have a higher load index, increasing the load capacity of the tires and allowing fleet operators to transport heavy payloads without compromising on vehicle weight.
  • Continental AG's commitment to innovative products and solutions is crucial for the transformation to electric mobility. The company aims to drive forward this transformation with customer-oriented tire products, supporting the transformation in mobility with all its strength.

Statistics:

  • Commercial vehicles account for around one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the European transportation sector.
  • The European Union requires a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.
  • For diesel semi-trailer trucks, fuel combustion accounts for 90% of CO2 emissions.
  • Even with electric semi-trailers, 75% of CO2 emissions are still attributable to electricity supply.
  • Continental's Conti Eco HS 5 and Conti Efficient Pro HS 5 lines have a higher load index, increasing the load capacity of the tires.

Sources:

  • Continental AG press release
  • German Federal Environment Agency analysis
  • Continental AG quotes from Hinnerk Kaiser and Leo Kolodziej
  • Designwerk Technologies quote from Markus Erdmann

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