Why Do Electric Buses Have To Use Special Tires? This Is The Difference

Electric bus tires (Doc. Hankook)

JAKARTA - In the midst of global efforts to deal with climate change, Indonesia is increasingly focusing on electrifying transportation, especially in the public sector. The Ministry of Transportation continues to encourage the acceleration of the use of electric buses as public transportation with a target of 90% of vehicles by 2030. Electric buses are one of the mainstay solutions to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. However, to support the performance of electric buses, special tires designed with different specifications from ordinary bus tires.

President Director of PT Hankook Tire Sales Indonesia, Bartek (Byunghak) Choi, explained that the electric bus requires specially designed tires because it has different needs with tires on conventional buses. This is due to additional loads from the large batteries used, as well as demands to support energy efficiency and passenger comfort. To answer this need, Hankook launched Smart City AU06, which is designed to support extra weights while supporting convenience, security, and operational efficiency of buses. With this technology, we hope to accelerate the implementation of low-emission transportation in urban areas.

Hankook Tire, the world's leading global tire company, describes the difference between electric special tires and ordinary bus tires:

First, the design structure of the tires. Electric bus tires are designed to reduce movement in the structure of their inner layers so that the resulting heat remains low, making them more efficient. Tire Carkas are made in an optimized form to reduce deformation, namely changes in the shape of the tires due to excessive pressure or load, so that the tires are more stable on the streets are uneven. In addition, the stronger beam design protects against damage, thus making tires more durable and economical.

Second, convenience when driving with low noise. Electric bus special tires are generally designed to reduce noise as vehicles go. The Hankook Smart City AU06 is able to reduce 5% noise better than conventional tires, thanks to the design of Z-shaped groove pattern on both sides of the tires that effectively break the noise, even when passing the road unevenly or traveling at high speed.

Third, energy-efficient performance. Special tires for the Hankook Smart City AU06 electric bus have a rigid tread pattern that distributes pressure evenly, and increases resilience to wear. The center is equipped with knurling for better clove power in wet and dry conditions. "salar" flow technology and 3D wave patterns allow for better energy savings.

Fourth, load capacity. Electric bus special tires are designed with a higher ply rating compared to conventional TBR tires to support heavier loads, including the weight of electric batteries. In Indonesia, the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of electric buses reaches 18 tons[2]. Hankook Smart City AU06 with a ply rating 18 is able to support this need while maintaining optimal performance on various road conditions.

For information, currently Hankook Smart City AU06 is available in all Hankook distributor networks throughout Indonesia. This tire is available in the size of 275/70R22.5 with a carrying capacity of up to 3,350 kg per tire.

Fifth, electric buses have a longer lifespan than tires for conventional buses. Based on the results of trials in one of the TransJakarta operators, the lifespan of the Hankook Smart City AU06 tires is shown to be 20%-40% longer than conventional tires. This is thanks to the design of rigid block tread patterns and a wider area of contact, which makes the pressure distribution even more evenly distributed, so that tires are more resistant to wear and deformation. explained Ahmad Juweni, National Sales Manager of TBR (Truck & Bus Radial) PT. Hankook Tire Sales Indonesia.

In addition, the results of tests at the Hankook Research Center in Korea show that Smart City AU06 is able to reduce rail barriers by up to 18% compared to conventional TBR tires. This makes this tire the right choice for the performance of the electric bus fleet.