Apollo Tyres and NATRAX have joined forces to establish India’s first test track exclusively for electric vehicle (EV) tyres and low rolling resistance variants.
The track will focus on evaluating tyre durability, especially important for EVs due to their unique technology like regenerative braking and fast acceleration. Additionally, it will assess fuel-efficient tyres.
During the inauguration at NATRAX, Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Heavy Industries, emphasised the significance of sustainable mobility and India’s commitment to automotive industry growth through initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.
Satish Sharma, President of Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa at Apollo Tyres Ltd, highlighted the company’s commitment to providing quality products globally. The investment in the testing facility aims to expedite tyre development for EVs and low rolling resistance tyres, tailored for Indian road conditions.
Dr. Manish Jaiswal, Director of NATRAX, praised the facility as a world-class testing hub. The collaboration with Apollo Tyres adds another dimension to NATRAX’s capabilities, open for both passenger and commercial vehicle OEMs, as well as tyre manufacturers.
Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer at Apollo Tyres Ltd, explained that the test track replicates real-world conditions to validate tyres consistently. This capability will help reduce product development time and aligns with Apollo Tyres’ focus on electric vehicle products.
The partnership between Apollo Tyres and NATRAX signifies a significant step forward in India’s automotive industry, particularly in the EV sector, helping the country to position itelf as one of the global leaders in sustainable mobility.
