Exclusive Prototype: Special Tires Conti EcoPlus HT3+ for New Trailer That Hybridizes Diesel Trucks
Another highlight that Continental has been unveiling at the IAA Transportation 2022 is a tire prototype for a special trailer with an electrified drive axle. Continental is the exclusive development partner to Trailer Dynamics, which will be presenting this innovative concept featuring an electrified semitrailer to the public at the show.
The tread profile on this prototype is exceptionally robust and features deep traction elements such as sipes for high performance throughout the tire’s lifetime. In addition, a special tread compound ensures a good balance between traction and mileage. The final serial production tire will also have a reinforced belt package to counter the impact of propulsion of the driven axle.
“Our tire prototype for electric trailers represents a whole new tire segment. It possesses the properties of a tire for the drive axle and is designed for the recuperation of braking energy. It also possesses all the properties of a conventional trailer tire for the first and third axle. A real all-rounder in the truest sense of the word, it is specially designed for the hybridization of trucks,” says Kreipe.
The prototype, which is based on the Conti EcoPlus HT3 + in dimension 355/50 R 22.5, is already approved for road use and is currently being tested in collaboration with Trailer Dynamics. Series production is scheduled to begin in 2025. The electrified drive axle of the eMega Liner from Trailer Dynamics instantly transforms the semitrailer tractor with combustion engine into a hybrid vehicle, meaning that the electrified trailer significantly reduces diesel consumption and CO2 emissions – by at least 20 percent according to the manufacturer.
