Tyre firm Continental says it will be showcasing its most sustainable tyre for city traffic to date: the Conti Urban NXT, which recently entered pilot production, as part of its presentation for the bus and truck segment, at IAA Transportation 2024 from 17 to 22 September in Hanover, Germany.
As well, the Urban NXT is composed of a high proportion of renewable, recycled and ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials, coming in at 59%. Its low rolling resistance also makes it a game changer for electrified commercial vehicles.
With the Conti EcoPlus HT3+, the tyre manufacturer will present the latest iteration of its trailer tyre that is specifically designed for trailers with an electrified drive axle.
It will also display the new Conti EfficientPro 5 truck tyre, with improved rolling resistance of 10% compared with its predecessor model. As a steering-axle tyre, it is also the first long-haul tyre in size 315/70 to enable an axle load capacity of 8.5 tonnes, making it ideal for electric trucks. The original-equipment tyre for long-distance applications is thus setting new standards in energy efficiency and supports battery range.
The tread’s special rubber compound combined with the tyre’s rigid profile help to reduce rolling resistance, which in turn extends mileage by around five percent compared with the predecessor model. Its profile provides a secure grip and superior tracking, while the low external rolling noise level (EU tyre label Class A) means that the Conti EfficientPro 5 is EU Taxonomy-eligible.
The Conti EfficientPro 5 is designed for trucks with both combustion engines as well as hybrid or purely electric drives. It will be commercially available from the start of 2025, initially in the two sizes 315/70 R 22.5 and 385/55 R 22.5. Additional sizes will be added in due course.
Ford, Iveco, Scania and Volvo, manufacturers of long-haul trucks, will be exhibiting the tyres on their display vehicles at this year’s IAA.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), one in six new buses exceeding 3.5 tonnes that were registered in 2023 were partially or fully electrified. Thus, Continental is responding to this trend with the Conti Urban NXT – a new original equipment tyre designed for city transport. It combines a high proportion of sustainable materials with exceptional energy efficiency, making it ideal for electrified city buses and delivery vehicles. The pre-production version of the all-season tyre will be on display at IAA Transportation, with market launched planned for 2025. It will initially be available in the size 275/70 R 22.5.
The Conti Urban NXT also has a very high share of sustainable materials, with up to 25 percentage points more than the average share of renewable and recycled materials used in Continental’s commercial-vehicle tyres. For the Conti Urban NXT, Continental has allocated up to 24% ISCC PLUS mass balance-certified materials, i.e., synthetic rubber and carbon black from circular and bio-circular materials. The proportion of recycled materials is 3%. This includes recycled rubber originating from mechanically processed end-of-life tyres as well as recycled steel. The Conti Urban NXT has a sustainable raw materials content of 32%, consisting mainly of natural rubber.
The Conti Urban NXT’s rolling resistance has been reduced by 25% versus the comparable Conti Urban HA3 model. This translates into lower CO2 emissions for combustion-engine vehicles and an increased battery range of up to 15% for electric vehicles. High-density interlocking sipes ensure a secure grip, superior tracking and excellent braking performance – also in wet conditions and throughout the entire service life of the tyre.
The specially developed rubber compound reduces tyre abrasion and enhances resistance against cuts, cracks, chips and breakage. The mileage of the Conti Urban NXT is also around 15% higher than the predecessor model. Boasting very low external rolling noise, the Conti Urban NXT is an EU Taxonomy-eligible tyre and thus perfectly tailored to the requirements of electric vehicle fleets.
Another development Continental is set to showcase at this year’s IAA Transportation is the Conti EcoPlus HT3+, specifically designed for trailers with electrified drive axles with a balanced performance in terms of traction and rolling resistance and an especially high load capacity.
The tyre’s features are specifically geared to new-generation trailers featuring fully electric drive axles. Accordingly, the tyre’s load capacity has been increased by 500 kg/axle to enable a constant payload despite the higher net weight resulting from the battery. The company had unveiled the prototype back in 2022.
The siping tire tread profile of the Conti EcoPlus HT3+ has been designed specifically with traction in mind, while an innovative rubber compound provides a balanced combination of grip and mileage. As a result, the tyre ensures maximum safety in all weather conditions. It can not only be used on electrified trailer axles but also fitted as an all-round tyre, and will initially be available in the sizes 355/50 R 22.5, 385/65 R 22.5 and 385/55 R 22.5. Market launch is scheduled for early 2026.