Apollo Tyres has introduced EV-specific tyres under two new brands – Amperion and WAV. While the former comprises tyres for electric passenger cars, the latter is targeted at electric two-wheelers.
The company has launched the Amperion range in two different tread sizes – 195mm and 215mm – both targeted at SUVs with R16 and R17 rim size profiles. The EV-specific tyres also feature a five-star BEE certification on parameters of low rolling resistance, wet-grip performance, as well road noise.
Apollo Amperion range to cater to PV segment, Apollo Wav range for two-wheelers.
Apollo Tyres on Monday said the company expects electric vehicle (EV) adoption to pick up pace over the next few years and is gearing up to cater to demand in the passenger vehicle (PV) as well as two-wheeler segments, from both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and after-sales.
Apollo Tyres claims the Amperion range will enhance the electric vehicle range by up to 8 percent, owing to the special functionalized resin compound that offers better grip to handle instant torque application in case of EVs, as well as reduces rolling resistance. The tyres are also being claimed to offer high durability and withstand prolonged high loads from the weight of the EV battery. The sidewall profile on the Apollo Amperion range is also recessed to lower the aerodynamic drag, achieving reduced resistance while rolling on the road.
“The vehicle weight substantially increases for the EVs because of the battery and the tyres used now are standard tyres. We are looking at a lion’s share, upwards of 30 percent for PV and two-wheelers,” Sharma said.
He said the company has already teamed with Hero Electric as the OEM partner for electric scooters and is in talks with other manufacturers for the same. The company will launch electric motorcycle tyres in the future, once the market flourishes.
“Our products are born electric now so more partnerships will happen. Anyone who comes with an EV, we are in the queue and ahead of the curve and more than willing to partner (whether Maruti Suzuki’s EV in 2025 and upcoming Hero MotoCorp’s Vida brand of EVs),” he said.
While pricing hasn’t been revealed, the Amperion and WAV tyres will be available for a 5 percent premium over the comparable tyres from Apollo’s range for combustion-engine-powered vehicles. The company will retail tyres from its widespread dealer and distribution network in India, and will also eye direct-OEM supplies for existing EV models like the Tata Nexon EV, MG ZS EV, and Hyundai Kona EV, as well as upcoming models in the passenger EV category.
With the growing EV market, other tyre majors brands like JK Tyre also recently launched the complete range of EV specific smart radial tyres for all categories of buses, truck, light commercial vehicles and passenger cars in India.