Pirelli has just released its latest tire – the first high-load index tire on the market. It’s designed to meet the needs of electric and hybrid cars as well as SUVs. According to Pirelli, it provides the extra support for the added weight that comes with these vehicles.
The tire comes with an HL (Hight Load) marking on the sidewall and can accommodate 20% more weight than your average tire. Rumor has it that it can also support 6-9% more weight than an extra-load XL tire of the same size.
The company made it part of its P Zero Pirelli tires and will be used for the first time on the Lucid Air. This will be in its HL 245/35R21 99 Y XL size for the front wheels and HL 265/ 35R21 103 Y XL size for the rear wheels.
The tire was developed for the luxury electric sedan market and is expected to reach the customer market later this year. To uphold its “Perfect Fit” strategy, Pirelli developed the new P Zero tire in collaboration with the EV’s manufacturer. This is to ensure it meets the required performance standards. The Lucid Air will have its set of tires marked with “LM1” on the sidewalls.
“The search for cutting-edge technical solutions has always been at the very heart of Pirelli’s business,” explained Pierangelo Misani, senior vice president of R&D and cyber, Pirelli. “The attention we devote to all new forms of sustainable mobility now leads us to technology that is capable of anticipating the future demands of car manufacturers for their new electric and hybrid vehicles, which increasingly require specialized performance from tires.”
This bespoke tire also comes with a touch of Pirelli’s Elect and PNCS technologies. The former provides rolling resistance and helps reduce road noise and increase the vehicle’s range. It also features a compound designed to increase grip in instant torque situations that are commonly associated with EV transmissions.
As for the PNCS technology, it provides sound-absorbing materials incorporated within the tire to help dampen air vibrations that could otherwise be felt inside the car.
“Lucid Air represents a technological breakthrough in terms of efficiency and performance,” commented Eric Bach, senior vice president of product and chief engineer, Lucid Motors. “The new Pirelli HL tires are integral to achieving such benchmarks.”