Pirelli has announced its first ever high-load index tire, aimed at the electric and hybrid car and SUV markets. The tire has been designed and developed to provide heavier vehicles with extra support, and to deal with the added weight of integrated batteries.
Pirelli’s latest tire features the HL (high load) marking on the sidewall and can support 20% more weight than conventional tires. The tire can also withstand 6-9% more weight than an extra-load XL tire in the same size.
The Pirelli HL tire, specifically a Pirelli P Zero, will be used for the first time on the Lucid Air, in sizes HL 245/35R21 99 Y XL for the front wheels, and HL 265/ 35R21 103 Y XL for the rear.
The tire was designed for the luxury electric sedan ahead of it reaching the customer market in the USA later this year. Under Pirelli’s own ‘Perfect Fit’ strategy, the P Zero tires for the EV have been developed alongside the vehicle’s manufacturer, to ensure the product meets performance standards. Due to its specific design, the Lucid Air’s tires will be marked with an ‘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.”
The bespoke P Zero tire for the Lucid Air also benefits from Pirelli Elect and PNCS technologies. The Elect technology offers a lower rolling resistance to increase vehicle range and reduce road noise, and features a compound that is designed to provide grip in instant torque scenarios associated with EV transmissions. The PNCS technology consists of a sound-absorbing material placed within the tire to aid in dampening air vibrations that could otherwise be felt inside the vehicle.
“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.”
