As hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity, we are seeing various development approaches from tire manufacturers in order to meet the new demands of heavy, high torque, low noise vehicle applications.

Naturally, Pirelli have decided to use the P Zero name once again, and this time append "HL" on the end meaning High Load. The first vehicle to be fitted with the new Pirelli P Zero HN? The Lucid Air.

Press Release

Pirelli presents its very first high load index tire: a new type of tire dedicated primarily to electric or hybrid cars and SUVs. Made to support the weight of new vehicles equipped with batteries, the tire is perfect for heavier vehicles, such as electric cars.  It is designed to provide low rolling resistance as well as a high level of driving comfort.

The new tire features the HL (high load) marking on the sidewall as an indication of its capabilities and is able to support 20% more weight compared to a standard tire and 6-9% more weight than an extra load XL tire of the same size.

LUCID AIR WITH THE P ZERO HL FEATURING ELECT AND PNCS TECHNOLOGY

The Lucid Air will be the very first car to use the new Pirelli HL tires. The Pirelli P ZERO for this model will be available in the following sizes: HL 245/35R21 99 Y XL on the front axle and HL 265/ 35R21 103 Y XL on the rear axle, specifically designed for the new luxury electric sedan produced and sold later this year in the United States of America. In accordance with Pirelli's ‘Perfect Fit’ strategy, the P ZERO tires for the Lucid Air have been jointly developed with the car manufacturer, to fully meet the required performance standards. To identify the specific design for the American manufacturer, these tires will be marked ‘LM1’ on the sidewalls.

Pierangelo Misani, Pirelli's Senior Vice President of R&D and Cyber, said: “The search for cutting-edge technical solutions has always been at the very heart of Pirelli's business. 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 specialised performance from tires.”

“Lucid Air represents a technological breakthrough in terms of efficiency and performance. The new Pirelli HL tires are integral to achieving such benchmarks,” said Eric Bach, SVP of Product and Chief Engineer at Lucid Motors.   

These bespoke P ZEROs will also benefit from Pirelli Elect and PNCS technologies. Pirelli Elect offers low rolling resistance to increase range, reduced rolling noise to maximise comfort, and a compound engineered for grip to respond to the instant toque demands of the electric transmission, as well as a structure capable of supporting the weight of the battery pack. To further increase interior comfort, PNCS technology which consists of a special sound-absorbing material placed within the tire, helps deaden air vibrations that would otherwise be transmitted to the inside of the vehicle. The benefits of this system can be felt both inside and outside the car.