SPLIT RIMS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Electric vehicles have special requirements when it comes to tyres, including light weight and low rolling resistance. The optimal design tends to be a narrow wheel of large diameter. This has led Continental to develop a split-rim design that allows a large diameter, light-weight brake system to be tted. When a tyre is changed, the bolts on the outside of the wheel’s spokes are removed while the wheel centre stays on the hub. This means that the tyre and wheel combination weighs less than a traditional unit when removed. The design was shown at the Continental Techshow 2017 in prototype form, but according to the company, its patent has already garnered attention from major automotive OEMS.