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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Jaya Hind Industries (JHI), part of the Dr Abhay Firodia Group, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Kottaiyur Village, Thiruvallur District.

The project involves an investment of approximately INR 2 billion towards increasing capacity and integrate manufacturing processes for high pressure die casting and components for internal combustion engines, electric vehicles and structural castings.

The expansion includes a new shed covering 13,000 square metres, and once complete, the facility will have a manufacturing capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year.

The facility is designed to provide end-to-end process control. Jaya Hind Industries will include the following in-house operations: machining and honing, powder coating, heat treatment and impregnation.

These additions allow the plant to function as an integrated unit. The expansion follows the utilisation of existing capacity due to orders from domestic and export customers. The Chennai plant supports clients including Cummins (USA), Generac (USA), TVS Motor Company and manufacturers of EV modules.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director of Jaya Hind Industries, said, “This expansion marks a significant milestone in Jaya Hind Industries’ growth journey. With strong order momentum across domestic and export markets, the Chennai facility will play a pivotal role in augmenting our die-casting capacity while deepening our vertical integration. By investing in advanced HPDC & machining capabilities and critical in-house processes, we are strengthening our ability to deliver high-quality, complex aluminium solutions with greater control, consistency, and speed. This project also reinforces our commitment to building globally competitive manufacturing capabilities in India in line with the Make in India vision.”

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Volkswagen-backed German battery company PowerCo has commissioned its factory in Salzgitter and produced the initial Unified Cells. This start of production allows the Volkswagen Group to design and produce battery cells in Europe.

The cells will be delivered to Volkswagen Group brands for road tests, which are expected to be utilised in the Electric Urban Car Family of Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat/Cupra next year.

PowerCo intends to provide 50 percent of the demand for Unified Cells within the Volkswagen Group, with the remainder coming from suppliers. The architecture allows for use across brands and regions. It supports technologies including lithium iron phosphate (LFP), nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and solid state.

The version produced in Salzgitter uses NMC technology. This cell provides an increase of 10 per cent in energy density compared to previous models. It is designed for use with the cell-to-pack system.

Oliver Blume, CEO, Volkswagen Group, said, "The PowerCo Gigafactory in Salzgitter sends a strong technological signal for Europe and serves as a cornerstone on our path to becoming a global automotive tech leader. We are the first European carmaker to establish our own battery cell development and production. This step strengthens our position and independence in the global competition."

Production in Salzgitter will increase during the coming year. The facility has an initial capacity of 20 GWh, with the potential to reach 40 GWh. Salzgitter serves as the lead plant for factories in Valencia, Spain and St. Thomas, Canada. These sites follow a factory concept that allows for the exchange of knowledge.

The Research & Development centre in Salzgitter is also expanding. A test field is under construction and will begin operation at the start of 2026.

Thomas Schmall, Group Board Member for Technology, Volkswagen, said, "With PowerCo, we are consistently expanding our know-how in battery technology. In combination with the new battery system, the Unified Cell ‘made in Salzgitter’ brings a real technological leap for our customers. This puts us in the driver’s seat when it comes to a key technology for e-mobility."

Production involves automation and data analysis. Data points from machines and buildings provide traceability and assist quality control.

Frank Blome, CEO, PowerCo, said, "In just three years, we have built an entirely new company, developed a competitive product, and completed a cell factory along with its upstream supply chain. At the same time, we are already constructing the next cell factories in Spain and Canada. In short: we deliver. This achievement is the result of an outstanding team effort by many colleagues at PowerCo and Volkswagen – and I’m deeply grateful for that."

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Ford and Renault Group have announced a landmark strategic partnership that will expand Ford’s electric vehicle offerings to European customers, significantly enhancing competitiveness for both automakers in a rapidly evolving European automotive landscape. 
A cornerstone of the partnership is an agreement for the development of two distinct Ford-branded electric vehicles based on the Ampere platform, leveraging Renault Group’s strong EV assets and competitiveness. These two e-vehicles will be produced by Renault Group in the North of France, illustrating Ampere ‘ElectriCity’s’ modern manufacturing capabilities and expertise.
Designed by Ford, developed with Renault Group, the two cars will feature distinctive driving dynamics, authentic Ford-brand DNA and intuitive experiences. They mark the first step in a comprehensive new product offensive for Ford in Europe. The first of the two vehicles is expected in showrooms in early 2028.
In addition to collaborating on EVs, Ford and Renault Group have also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a European light commercial vehicle collaboration. Under this LOI, the partners will explore the opportunity to jointly develop and manufacture Ford and Renault branded selected light commercial vehicles (LCVs).
François Provost, CEO Renault Group said: "Renault Group is proud to announce a new strategic cooperation with Ford, an iconic car manufacturer. This partnership shows the strength of our partnership know-how and competitiveness in Europe. In the long term, combining our strengths with Ford will make us more innovative and more responsive in a fast-changing European automotive market."
Jim Farley, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company said: "The strategic partnership with Renault Group marks an important step for Ford and supports our strategy to build a highly efficient and fit-for-the future business in Europe. We will combine Renault Group’s industrial scale and EV assets with Ford’s iconic design and driving dynamics to create vehicles that are fun, capable, and distinctly Ford in spirit."

Combining strengths
The companies will take advantage of the proven capabilities and competitiveness of Renault Group’s Ampere platform, EV manufacturing ecosystem and industrial capacities in the North of France (ElectriCity) to produce two all-new Ford-branded electric passenger vehicles.
By joining their expertise as major players in Europe, in innovation, design, software, and service delivery, Ford and Renault Group will aim to address industry challenges and better serve customers in both the retail and commercial vehicles segments.
The Ford and Renault Group strategic partnership will combine decades of experience in the light commercial vehicle segment, as well as the industrial scale and extensive supply base of both companies, creating a formidable force poised to drive innovation and efficiency in the European market.
 

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Gujarat Fluorochemicals (GFL), a fluorochemicals company, announced a partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The IFC is investing approximately USD 50 million in GFL’s subsidiary, GFCL EV Products (GFCL EV), through the subscription of compulsorily convertible instruments.

The investment will be utilised towards what is claimed to be India’s first integrated battery materials facility. The project is intended to drive high-value manufacturing, create jobs, strengthen India’s position in global supply chains and advance national priorities of energy security, transport electrification and local value creation.

GFCL EV aims to reinforce India’s emergence as a competitive player in the global battery-materials value chain. The company has integrated manufacturing capabilities for battery chemicals with backward integration into key raw materials.

GFCL EV’s current product portfolio, catering to both electric vehicle and energy storage sectors, includes:

• Battery chemicals – electrolyte salt LiPF6, electrolyte formulations, additives for enhanced performance.
• Cathode active materials (LFP).
• Binders (both PVDF and PTFE).

Vivek Jain, Chairman, INOXGFL Group, said, “We are delighted to welcome IFC as a partner in GFCL EV. This milestone reinforces our vision for a greener future supported by IFC’s global expertise and commitment to sustainable development, aiding in accelerating India’s energy transition. IFC has a history of investing in sustainable businesses demonstrating long-term value creation. Their investment in GFCL EV is an endorsement of our differentiated model and growth trajectory. This partnership underlines our global leadership in battery materials and shall create long-term sustainable value for existing shareholders.”

Dr. Bir Kapoor, DMD and CEO, Gujarat Fluorochemicals, added, “This is IFC’s first investment in a battery materials company in India, marking a major milestone for India’s battery materials ecosystem. This capital raise enables us to scale up our manufacturing capacity for advanced battery materials strengthening India’s position in the global supply chain. GFCL EV stands among the few large-scale integrated battery materials manufacturers worldwide, with a portfolio that covers more than 50 percent of the LFP battery cell bill of materials”.

Imad N Fakhoury, IFC Regional Division Director for South Asia, said, “We are happy to partner with GFCL EV on this milestone initiative to advance value‑added manufacturing in India. As the country scales its electric vehicle and energy‑storage sectors, India has a clear opportunity to strengthen domestic capacity in key battery materials, set new benchmarks for high‑performance supply chains, and secure its place in the global market for advanced energy technologies. This investment forms part of IFC’s programmatic efforts to strengthen India’s e‑mobility value chain, and is enabled by a One WBG approach that builds the market and localizes global value chains, advancing the Make in India initiative. It will enable first‑of‑its‑kind greenfield battery manufacturing and build the capabilities India needs to play a larger role in high‑value components worldwide.”

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