Ever larger dimensions, and more prominence for All Season tyres and electric cars: this is how Michelin sees the evolution of the tyre market

The car market is constantly changing, just like consumers’ habits and needs. The automotive industry faces significant environmental challenges, and it is important to highlight the role that tyre manufacturers can play in reducing the carbon footprint of vehicles

Michelin is leading the way in creating sustainable solutions for the tyre industry and fully developing its technological and innovation capacity. Its commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its products is an example of the crucial role companies can play in the fight against climate change. In fact, the brand maintains its commitment to manufacture all its tyres with 100% sustainable materials by 2050.

Change in dimensions

The trend of increasing vehicle weight, together with the growing size of tyres, can have a negative impact on the environment, especially at a time when climate change and resource scarcity are critical issues. However, Michelin is taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint of its products through the use of innovative technology.

One way Michelin is addressing this issue is through reducing rolling resistance in its tyres, which helps improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. In 2021, the company managed to save 3,400 million litres of fuel over the service life of its tyres, which made it possible to avoid the emission of 8.7 million metric tonnes of CO2 compared with 2010 levels.

However, Michelin does not stop there and will continue to improve its energy efficiency by an additional 10% by 2030. The company is committed to innovation and the development of more sustainable and efficient tyre technologies, which will allow it to further reduce the carbon footprint of its products in the future.

The rise of the electric vehicle

The rise of the electric vehicle has placed tyres at the centre of the performance and efficiency of these vehicles. Electric vehicles present new and demanding requirements in terms of tyre performance, which has driven Michelin to develop innovative tyres that meet these needs, such as the Michelin e.Primacy or Michelin Pilot Sport EV.

To achieve optimal performance, an electric vehicle tyre must have four essential qualities. First, it must have greater longevity due to the increased torque during acceleration and deceleration of these vehicles. Second, it must have low rolling resistance, as this is key to the range of electric vehicles. Third, it must have a high load capacity to support the weight of these vehicles’ batteries. And finally, it must offer a significant reduction in noise, since most of the noise generated by an electric vehicle comes from the road and not from the motor.

High demand for All Season tyres

All Season tyres offer a practical and efficient solution for drivers looking for a single tyre option for the whole year. These tyres offer better performance in varying weather and road conditions, which increases drivers’ safety and peace of mind. Michelin’s All Season tyre range is the CrossClimate family.

The All Season tyre market in Europe has experienced strong growth in recent years, with sales up to three times higher than in the past. This is largely due to the technological advances developed by Michelin, which have significantly improved the ease of use and performance of these tyres.

The Michelin Group expects even greater growth in this market, with a growth rate of more than 11% over the next 5 years. Among the factors contributing to this growth are climate change and the appearance of unpredictable snowfalls, changes in European regulations, the advantages for consumers of not needing two sets of tyres, and the development of vehicle fleets and leasing.

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