With its two-pronged approach that focuses on optimising energy consumption in the manufacturing process of low rolling resistance (LRR) tyres, as well as lowering the aspect ratios, the TVS Group company aims to introduce cost-effective, EV-focused tyres in the Indian market.
17 Feb 2025 | 3613 Views | By Mayank Dhingra
TVS Group company Eurogrip Tyres, which is a leading player in the two- and three-wheeler segments in India, envisions growing demand for high wear resistance and low rolling resistance (LRR) tyres in the future. With electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws) demanding higher wear resistance properties due to the high-torque nature of the e-motor drivetrain, ...
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TVS Group company Eurogrip Tyres, which is a leading player in the two- and three-wheeler segments in India, envisions growing demand for high wear resistance and low rolling resistance (LRR) tyres in the future. With electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws) demanding higher wear resistance properties due to the high-torque nature of the e-motor drivetrain, Eurogrip is set to fulfil these key industry requirements with its technology.
The company says with the growing EV penetration in the country, wherein e-2W volumes touched 1.14 million units (+33%) in CY2024, these two properties are the key trends on the horizon in tyre technology. "Maximising wear life, and offering low rolling resistance are the key trends in the tyre industry," said V Sivaramakrishan, CTO, Eurogrip Tyres, in an exclusive interaction with Autocar Professional.
Eurogrip Tyres has already introduced its first-generation LRR two-wheeler tyres, which, as per the company, are being implemented by leading e-2W OEMs in their products. These tyres claim to offer up to 20% lower rolling resistance than comparable ICE tyres, while costing 20% higher in comparison.
As a result, the company has adopted a two-pronged approach to offer cost-effective LRR tyres. While it is optimising the manufacturing process to offset the increase in cost of production of LRR tyres by reducing the energy consumption, it is also aiming to lower the aspect ratio of the tyres and bring down the material required to build these tyres.
LRR tyres use polymers such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and poly-butadiene rubber (PBR), which are mixed with silica to create silica-reinforced elastomers that offer the properties of high wear resistance and low rolling resistance to the tyre compound. However, the mixing of the polymers with silica requires specialised technologies that demand capital-intensive setups.
According to Sivaramakrishan, "Our endeavour is to find ways to make this technology available at an affordable price. Hence, we are optimising the processes, as well as the material technology in these tyres." It is here that Eurogrip Tyres is innovating to reduce the energy consumption during the manufacturing process, and finding more ways to make these tyres cost effective. Eurogrip Tyres has made the requisite investment for silica-polymer mixing, as well as in the specialised extrusion process.
As per Sivaramakrishan, the company's technology roadmap over the next 5 years is to reduce the tyre cost by 20% in the second generation; further reduce rolling resistance by 20% in Gen-3 tyres, and achieve price parity with ICE-focused tyres, in the fourth-generation iteration of its EV tyres that are likely to hit the market around 2028-29.
Lower aspect ratios in future
He also explained that the tread-pattern design of the company’s EV-specific tyres also ensures more rubber volume to aid higher wear resistance, while focusing on the wet-grip performance as well. The company says it will be looking at reducing the aspect ratio in the future, to further reduce the rolling resistance.
These lower aspect ratios, particularly for 10- and 12-inch scooter tyres, will enable lesser material in the tyre construction, but allow more air volume. The lighter tyre construction, in turn, will lead to reduced sidewall deflection that will reduce the hysteresis, thus making the tyres more efficient.
Catering to global demand
Not just India, Europgrip Tyres aims to tap into the LRR trend from other major markets such as those in Europe and the US as well. In this regard, the company recently showcased its advanced solutions at the AIM 2025 in Las Vegas, as well as marked its presence at the EICMA 2024, held in Milan in November last year.
“We are working with OEMs globally on their EV projects through our European Technical Centre, which enables us to pursue requisite tests and product validation,” Sivaramakrishan said. However, in the present scenario, Eurogrip Tyres is largely focusing on the premium-ICE motorcycles and offering its tyres tailor made for on-road touring, as well as trail applications in these mature overseas markets.
In India too, the company is offering its products for medium- and high-engine capacity motorcycles – in the touring and scrambler applications. It has a wide range of 28 products, catering to motorcycles from 300cc engine capacity, all the way to 1200cc adventure-touring options on sale by various OEMs in the Indian market.