Features & Interviews TNB News

Five minutes with… Leo Kolodziej, Head of Original Equipment Business for Truck Tyres – Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Continental

17 October 2024 #Features & Interviews #TNB News

Tell us about the Conti EfficientPro 5 original-equipment tyre designed for long-distance applications?

The Conti EfficientPro 5 is designed for trucks with both combustion engines as well as hybrid or purely electric drives. As a steering-axle tyre, it is also the first long-haul tyre in size 315/70 to enable an axle load capacity of 8.5 tons, making it ideal for electric trucks. It will be commercially available from the start of 2025, initially in sizes 315/70 R 22.5 and 385/55 R 22.5. Additional sizes will be added in due course.

Developers have succeeded in reducing the tyre’s rolling resistance by 10% compared with its predecessor within the EU tire label Class A.  This is a major technological leap that will help our customers save fuel and further reduce CO2 emissions.

The experts at Continental have achieved this without making any sacrifices in terms of running and wet braking performance.

What about the Conti Urban NXT tyre for city operations?

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), one in six new buses exceeding 3.5 tons that were registered in 2023 were partially or fully electrified. Continental is responding to this trend with the Conti Urban NXT – a new original equipment tyre designed for city transport.

It combines a high proportion of sustainable materials with exceptional energy efficiency, making it ideal for electrified city buses and delivery vehicles. The market launch is planned for 2025 and it will initially be available in size 275/70 R 22.5.

The Conti Urban NXT’s rolling resistance has been reduced by 25% versus the comparable Conti Urban HA3 model. This translates into lower CO2 emissions for combustion-engine vehicles and an increased battery range of up to 15% for electric vehicles.

Describe the new Conti EcoPlus HT3+ tyre?

The Conti EcoPlus HT3+ tyre is specifically designed for trailers with electrified drive axles and offers exceptionally balanced performance in terms of traction and rolling resistance and an especially high load capacity.

Its features are specifically geared to new-generation trailers featuring fully electric drive axles. Accordingly, the tyre’s load capacity has been increased by 500 kilograms per axle to enable a constant payload despite the higher net weight resulting from the battery.

The tyre tread profile of the Conti EcoPlus HT3+ has been designed specifically with traction in mind, while an innovative rubber compound provides a balanced combination of grip and mileage.

As a result, the tyre ensures maximum safety in all weather conditions. It can be used on electrified trailer axles and also fitted as an all-round tyre. Market launch is scheduled for early 2026.

Tell us about Continental’s concept, Lowest Overall Driving Costs?

The tyre experts at Continental work closely together with customers to minimise their costs – and that applies to fleets of any size and via a broad spectrum of individual solutions. For example, a fleet customer provides Continental with telematics data.

This data is used to derive suggestions for cost savings – and then implement them consistently together. Depending on the results of the original analysis, it leads to a combination of products, services and solutions bundled together with the aim of optimising costs for the customer.

Leo Kolodziej, Head of Original Equipment Business for Truck Tyres – Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Continental

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