German haulier Vollers Group have equipped their Volvo E-Truck with new EcoPoint3 tyres from Sailun. The EcoPoint3 tyres stand out not only in terms of economy (rolling resistance) but also in terms of wet handling and wet braking.
EcoPoint3 Tyres Technology
“Tyres in particular are often underestimated but are highly relevant in the freight transport of the future. This is precisely why we work closely with vehicle manufacturers and technology companies and offer tyres specifically for these requirements,” says Stephan Cimbal, Marketing Director SAILUN Europe. The Vollers Group’s E-truck is equipped with SAILUN tyres, which are based on the green EcoPoint3 technology and are produced with reduced resource consumption. They also minimise rolling noise, reduce carbon emissions and maximise fuel efficiency thanks to their innovative design.
“The cost per kilometre and longer range categories are very important, especially in our industry,” explains Christian Vollers, Managing Partner of the Vollers Group. This includes not only the purchase price and the service life or mileage but also the fuel consumption. The good performance of the innovative SAILUN truck tyres has also been confirmed by the testing organisation TÜV SÜD. It, therefore, awarded the SAILUN Fuel Pro SDL2 and SFL2 tyres the A label for energy efficiency thanks to their fuel-saving potential of up to 8% compared to conventional premium brands.
Sustainable Approach
The local transport operations of the long-established logistics service provider for coffee, cocoa, and tea by the Vollers Group are relying on tyre partner SAILUN for the introduction of its first electric commercial fleet vehicle. “Together, we are taking a sustainable approach by delivering to customers in a more sustainable, low-carbon way from now on,” explained Christian Vollers at the presentation on the company premises in Bremen’s port area.
The EcoPoint3 tyres also stand out in terms of wet handling and wet braking. “These tyres play a key role for us in decarbonisation, as they offer many other advantages: They are quiet and contribute to lower noise pollution, especially in congested areas,” continues Vollers. As with all electric drives, tyres also play a decisive role in the truck sector. “On the one hand, they are exposed to a higher torque when starting and accelerating. At the same time, the tyres not only have to offer low rolling resistance but also withstand higher loads than tyres for comparable vehicles with combustion engines. This is due to the higher weight of the particularly powerful batteries and the weight distribution of the electric tractor unit,” explains Cimbal.
The Abrasion-Resistant Compound
In addition, the right tread compound and an optimised ground contact area of the tyre are important for lower rolling resistance. The latter primarily ensures even pressure distribution in the tyre. “The SAILUN Fuel Pro SDL2 in combination with the SFL2 enable consistently high mileages and extremely low rolling resistance, thus offering the essential characteristics for the economical operation of electrically powered commercial vehicles,” emphasizes Cimbal.
Wear resistance was another important aspect of the development process. The abrasion-resistant compound based on EcoPoint3 technology did not conflict with a compound for low rolling resistance. This also applies to the tyre’s traction and therefore its braking performance, especially in wet conditions. “Our developers have succeeded across the board in harmonising all properties and consistently adapting them to the needs of customers in the truck industry,” reports Cimbal. The latest generation of SAILUN truck tyres not only balances the conflicting objectives – particularly between mileage, braking, and handling performance – at a high level. The tyres produced especially for E-trucks also last just as long as tyres for trucks with conventional drives and meet the same safety requirements.
