The narrower, bigger diameter tyres of electric vehicles are encouraging innovation around them. Supporting lower rolling resistance, the tyres are pushing suppliers and OEMs to explore new technological innovations. A leading German auto supplier for example has developed a ‘mechanical’ technology to ensure superior manoeuvring with near 180 degrees turn of the steered wheels. 
This is a development that could be applied to ICE rear-wheel drive vehicles as well. Even, light-duty commercial vehicles such as the Tata Ace/1000 or the Switch Iev3/Iev4 that are aimed at the last mile delivery segment were backing up into a tight parking spot or navigating through a narrow lane is part of the job. 
As designers and engineers toy with the idea of larger wheel wells and the ability of the steered – front – wheels to turn as much as 180 degrees, the use of narrower, bigger diameter tyres with low rolling resistance in electric vehicles is spurring yet another round of innovation, albeit as a part of the entire platform architecture that is rather software driven and subject to much virtual development in the interest of ‘time-to-market’ and a differentiated user experience. 
With over 14 million small electric vehicles sold in 2023 the world over, the push has been to develop tyres that enhance operation and performance. Provide a typical ‘family’ car the ability to transform into a sports car given the wave of high torque available from the word ‘go’ in an electric vehicle. 
With electric vehicle sales poised to increase 17.5 percent year-on-year globally to bridge 41.2 million units in 2029, electric vehicle tyres are expected to facilitate a further drop in rolling resistance while employing sustainable raw materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. 
A sustainable EV tire design should consider the whole lifecycle of the product. Tires can be composed of well over 100 different raw materials. These are mixed and the rubber compounds are machined resulting is several components of the tire construction. EV tires are expected to be stronger and lighter, with less rolling resistance due to its importance in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. 
A key challenge being the development of tyre formulations for electric vehicles with the tread compound that is more resistant to abrasion, it is the instant torque availability that is necessitating tyres that may look like ICE vehicle tyres but are quite different in the way they handle traction and aid a longer drive range. There is the issue of kerb weight as well, not to overlook the new environmental pressures for durability and abrasion resistance. 
Interestingly, new opportunities are being created on the vehicle engineering and dynamics side as well as on the side of electric vehicle tyre development and manufacture. 
Starting with materials that are broadly classified as ‘renewable’ (can be sustained on time) and as ‘recycled’ (re-used and made from recovered end-of-life tyres), it is the tandem mixers that are producing more homogeneous rubber compounds, including tread compounds that employ optimised silica fillers.
Tyres for electric vehicles are demanding the use of triple or quadruple extruders for treads and sidewalls as per the vehicle weight, application and dynamics. Roller head or roller die units are also being used to produce inner liners as a single or multilayer sheet
In terms of textile coating of steel cord components in e-vehicle tyres, four-roll and Z-type calendars are used. Also, full tyre assembly machines that can produce tyres to tighter tolerances, higher specs such as superior uniformity and sans operator invention. 
With electric vehicle tyres and ICE vehicle tyres being tested and validated differently primarily because of the higher load bearing capacity and low rolling resistance, electric vehicle tyres are made up of a different (softer) rubber compound than regular tyres with an eye on less noise, mentioned a testing expert at an OEM that is increasingly producing electric vehicles in India. 
Pointing at an electric passenger vehicle the company launched in India recently, he averred, “Softer compounds are used to ensure less rolling noise and better transmission of torque from the motors to the road.” 
With finer tolerances in need, optical machine vision systems for end-of-line quality inspections, including new technologies such as X-rays to check steel belts, cords and bead reinforcement are increasingly used. 
They are used to check for air bubbles in inner liners as well. Advances in tyre design and manufacture include new developments in simulation software to model the performance of new designs quickly. This is without material input cots. 
AI is being increasingly used to ensure superior analysis. AI is also used to automate manufacturing process as part of Industry 4.0 workflows. 

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Pavna Industries, a leading automotive components supplier, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) to set up a new manufacturing facility at the Future Mobility Park in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

The company shared that it has received full support from the government of Tamil Nadu for facilitating the timely and effective execution of the project.

Swapnil Jain, Managing Director, Pavna Industries, said, “We are proud to partner with the Government of Tamil Nadu for this project, which will generate employment, create new opportunities for local talent, and support the state’s thriving automotive ecosystem. This initiative is closely aligned with the Make in India vision and underscores Pavna Industries’ dedication to nation-building through world-class manufacturing. We value the support extended by the Government of Tamil Nadu in enabling this expansion.”

At present, the company has manufacturing plants in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Aurangabad, Maharashtra and Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, along with a new plant being constructed in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

Pavna Industries’ diverse product portfolio includes ignition switches, latches, auto locks, fuel tank caps, switches, oil pumps, throttle bodies and casting components, among others. It serves both domestic and international markets, with exports to countries such as Italy, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Sudan, the U.S.A, and Bangladesh.

It counts the likes of Bajaj Auto, Kawasaki, Honda, TVS Motor Co, Mahindra & Mahindra, Royal Enfield, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors and several electric vehicle manufacturers like Revolt and Mahindra Electric, among others in its customer base.

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer Ola Electric has achieved a major manufacturing milestone of rolling out its 1 millionth vehicle from its Futurefactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.

As part of the milestone, Ola Electric rolled out a special edition Roadster X+ in a midnight blue, with sporty red accents across dual-tone seat, rims and the battery pack.

It was in 2021 that Ola Electric started producing electric vehicles in the country, and the achievement comes within four years of the company’s operations.

 “This marks the celebration of every Indian who trusted us and believed in our mission. In four years, we’ve gone from an idea to becoming India’s EV two-wheeler leader. We built at scale and proved that world-class products can be designed, engineered, and manufactured right here in India. This milestone is a testament to how far we’ve come, and we’re just getting started! Our mission is clear: #EndICEAge and make India the global EV hub,” said an Ola Electric spokesperson.

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Pune-headquartered automotive company Kinetic Engineering has inaugurated its new Robotic Chassis Line at its plant in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra. This upgrade is part of a series of changes to improve the company's production capabilities.

The new line uses robots for welding and has a specific cell for the Kinetic DX EV e-scooter frames, clamping auto fixtures. This system is designed to provide consistency and accuracy. The facility's metal body panel line has also been upgraded with hydraulic and mechanical presses, as well as spot welding equipment.

The company's paint shop now uses a seven-tank process that includes a CED coating and a metallic topcoat for better protection and finish. A new store for frame parts has also been set up with quality control systems to manage inventory and supply parts to the assembly line.

Ajinkya Firodia, MD, Kinetic Engineering, said, “The future of manufacturing belongs to companies that can seamlessly integrate automation, precision and sustainability into their processes. With the inauguration of our robotic chassis line, we are not just upgrading a facility, we are reimagining how manufacturing should be done in India. This move positions us to deliver unmatched consistency and reliability, while also setting a benchmark for how automation can transform traditional industries. At Kinetic, we see this as part of a larger shift where Indian manufacturing stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.”

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Mukand Sumi Special Steel (MSSSL), a joint venture between India’s Bajaj Group and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation, has announced a major expansion with the construction of a new integrated steelmaking facility in Kanakapura, Koppal, Karnataka.

The new greenfield plant will boost MSSSL's production capacity to 700,000 tonnes per annum, making it one of India's leading special steel manufacturers. The project, which is currently awaiting environmental clearances, involves a capital investment of INR 23.45 billion, or around EUR 234 million.

The expansion is driven by the increasing demand for high-quality special steel in India's industrial, energy, and automotive sectors, supported by government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and strong economic growth. Since its inception in 2018, MSSSL has produced approximately 350,000 tonnes of special steel products annually, primarily for the automobile and engineering markets.

The new facility is designed with sustainability as a priority, adopting a Zero Liquid, Solid and Gaseous Discharge Model. It aims to source over 95 percent of its energy from renewables and is a crucial step towards the company's goal of achieving net-zero steel manufacturing by 2050. Future phases will incorporate hydrogen-ready infrastructure and carbon capture technologies.

Vipul Mashruwala, President, MSSSL, said, "This expansion marks a significant milestone in our long-term growth roadmap. Guided by the forward-looking vision of our Chairman, Niraj Bajaj, we are investing in sustainable and future-ready technologies that will strengthen our position in the global special steel market."

He added that the new facility will allow them to ‘serve growing demand with greater efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility.’

The new plant is expected to begin operations by early 2028 and will include iron making, steel making, and blooming mill facilities with an initial capacity of 0.35 million tonnes per annum. The investment will also focus on integrating automation and digital technologies to ensure consistent product quality and optimised energy use.

The expansion will enable MSSSL to focus on critical applications in the automotive, railway, oil and gas, energy and bearing steel sectors, aligning with India’s ‘Industry 4.0’ initiative.

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