Yokohama Rubber is introducing a distinctive “E+” symbol on its electric vehicle (EV) tires, aiming to provide customers with a streamlined tire selection process optimized for EV use. Starting in the latter half of 2023, the “E+” mark will signify Yokohama Rubber’s commitment to catering to the unique requirements of electrified vehicles.
Electric vehicles impose specific demands on tires, necessitating attributes such as resilience to increased loads from heavy batteries and electric motor torque. Additionally, EV tires should ensure quiet operation to match the vehicles’ silent engines and contribute to efficient energy utilization, ultimately enhancing driving range.
Already supplying original equipment (OE) tires for various premium EVs like BMW iX3 and Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+, Yokohama Rubber’s tire technology is adapted for electrified vehicles. The company is further accelerating the development of replacement market EV tires, leveraging its expertise from OE tire development.
The “E+” mark will be prominently displayed on YOKOHAMA tires that incorporate these specialized technologies, aiding customers in identifying tires suitable for electrified vehicles. This mark will feature in tire catalogs and online platforms, simplifying the tire selection process. The initial tire to bear the “E+” mark is the ADVAN Sport EV, an ultra-high performance summer tire designed for EVs.
Aligned with the Yokohama Transformation 2023 (YX2023) three-year strategy, the consumer tire business aims to amplify the sales share of premium YOKOHAMA tires, including the flagship ADVAN and GEOLANDAR tire lines. While intensifying its OE tire marketing for EVs, Yokohama Rubber is diligently incorporating feedback from EV manufacturers to enhance tire performance and expand product offerings, thus meeting the evolving requirements of this transformative era.