How Continental & Renault are Driving Sustainable Sourcing

Continental is helping Renault in its efforts to drive sustainable sourcing, having developed a tyre which helps to increase the range of its electric vehicles (EVs).

This is part of the partnership's strategic collaboration and was created to help Renault Group’s innovation teams with up to 35% lower rolling resistance than required for the EU tyre label’s top A rating.

Engineering for efficiency

Continental has unveiled a tailored version of its EcoContact 7 tyre, specifically engineered to meet the strict demands of the Renault Group. Unveiled during Renault's "Sustainability Tour" in Guyancourt, near Paris, this technical partnership showcases how precision tyre engineering can directly maximise electric vehicle performance.

For an EV with a 500-kilometre baseline, these specialised tyres add roughly 30 extra kilometres of range per charge, which is equivalent to the drive from Paris to Versailles.

Continental achieved this efficiency boost by optimising the tyre from the ground up, combining a specially modified tread compound with a customised sidewall design and an upgraded tyre construction.

Ultimately, this collaboration highlights how targeted tyre mechanics can seamlessly optimise both the range and overall driving dynamics of next-generation electric vehicles.

Dr. Christian Strübel, Continental expert on the rolling resistance of car tires, says: “Together with Renault Group, we are improving the efficiency of its new electric vehicles. Our tailor-made tires have very low rolling resistance, which significantly increases range.”

Balancing range with on-road safety

Rolling resistance remains a primary focus for Continental because it accounts for roughly 20 to 30% of a vehicle's total energy consumption, regardless of the drivetrain.

When rolling resistance is minimised, less energy is wasted through natural tyre deformation and road friction. This efficiency is particularly vital for electric vehicles, where reduced energy loss directly translates to an extended driving range.

However, maximising efficiency cannot come at the expense of vehicle safety. As the only physical connection between a car and the road, tyres are critical for control.

The friction generated between the tyre tread and the asphalt provides the vital grip necessary for effective braking and stable handling.

Continental's engineering goal is to master this delicate balance, delivering maximum range without compromising on-road security.

Nicolas Champetier, VP Innovation at Renault Group, adds: “Extremely low rolling resistance is key to enhancing the range of electric vehicles. With Continental, we have a strong partner by our side: thanks to our long-standing collaboration in original equipment, we can jointly develop solutions that have the potential to deliver real added value for our customers.”

Cutting prototype waste virtually

Continental and Renault Group accelerated their joint development process by leveraging state-of-the-art virtual testing methods.

A key element of this collaboration was Continental’s Driver-in-the-Loop simulator, which allowed engineers to evaluate and optimise tyre characteristics under realistic driving conditions early in the design cycle.

This was seamlessly combined with Renault Group’s ROADS driving simulator, which digitally replicated real-world environments for highly precise, reproducible virtual testing.

By integrating the capabilities of both advanced systems, the teams replicated complex test scenarios effortlessly while significantly boosting development efficiency.

This digital-first approach drastically reduces the reliance on physical prototypes. Today, Continental saves up to 10,000 test tyres annually by utilising these cutting-edge virtual technologies.