EU EV Tire Market Growth
According to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), new car registrations in the EU in November 2025 increased by 2.1% year-on-year, reaching 887,500 units. The cumulative registrations for the first 11 months reached 9.86 million units, a slight increase of 1.4% year-on-year.
In terms of powertrain, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 16.9% of the market share, while hybrid vehicles accounted for 34.6%, totaling over half, indicating that the electrification transformation of the EU automotive market is deepening. This structural change has also driven a continuous increase in demand for tires specifically designed for new energy vehicles, featuring low rolling resistance and high load-bearing capacity.
Hybrid vehicles have become a significant driver of market growth. Against the backdrop of the EU's continued efforts to achieve carbon reduction targets and Chinese automakers adjusting their export strategies, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have seen particularly significant growth: registrations in the EU reached 912,700 units in the first 11 months, with market share increasing from 7.1% in the same period last year to 9.3%.
Chinese automakers, represented by BYD, have expanded their presence in the European market with hybrid models, achieving a 240% year-on-year increase in cumulative sales for the first 11 months. Domestic tire brands like Linglong and Chaoyang, which supply tires for these vehicles, have gradually entered the European OEM system along with the export of complete vehicles, quietly changing the local market landscape. Because hybrid vehicles possess both gasoline and electric drive systems, higher demands are placed on tire compatibility and durability, further highlighting the market necessity of specialized tires.
The physical characteristics of new energy vehicles determine the core demand direction for specialized tires. Pure electric and hybrid vehicles, due to their battery packs, typically have a curb weight 20%-30% higher than comparable gasoline vehicles. For example, the BYD Tang EV has a curb weight of up to 2.5 tons, significantly increasing the load capacity requirements for single tires.
This necessitates the use of high-strength cord materials and thickened sidewalls, with load indices generally needing to reach 95-109, significantly higher than the 91-103 range commonly seen in traditional gasoline vehicles.
Simultaneously, the instantaneous high torque output of electric motors can easily cause wheel slippage during start-up, requiring tires with stronger grip performance, driving companies to continuously optimize rubber compounds and tread pattern designs.
Low rolling resistance has become a key indicator for new energy vehicle tires, which is linked to EU environmental policies and consumers' range anxiety. Studies show that rolling resistance consumes 20%-30% of the energy of electric vehicles. Tests conducted by the German TÜV laboratory show that for every 1 kg/t reduction in rolling resistance, the range of an electric vehicle can increase by approximately 3-5 kilometers.
To meet this demand, companies such as Michelin and Linglong have launched low rolling resistance product series. For example, the Linglong SPORT MASTER e tire uses an LRR energy-saving compound, achieving a 23% reduction in energy consumption and an 8% increase in range, and has obtained the highest AAA rating certification from the EU tire label.
The new EU tire labeling regulations have explicitly prohibited tires of grade C and below from entering the replacement market, and plan to completely ban products below grade D from 2026, thus further raising the market entry threshold for low rolling resistance tires.
Green regulations at the policy level continue to strengthen market demand orientation. The EU's Sustainable Product Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR) has officially come into effect, listing tires as a priority product category and requiring them to be equipped with digital product passports to achieve full traceability of material sources and carbon footprints.
Nokian Tire's first global zero-carbon tire factory in Romania, powered by 100% green electricity, boasts an annual production capacity of one million tires for new energy vehicles, specifically designed for the European market. This aligns with the EU's trend towards localized production and supply chain decarbonization.
Simultaneously, the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has prompted tire companies to accelerate the adoption of bio-based materials and recycling technologies to reduce their product carbon footprint. For example, Sentury Tire's bio-based rubber tires, developed in collaboration with Dow Chemical, have a 45% lower carbon footprint than traditional products.
Currently, the EU's new energy vehicle tire market is undergoing a period of restructuring. Chinese brands are continuously expanding their market share through technological breakthroughs and localization efforts, aiming for a 22% market share by 2025.
With the development of intelligent driving technology, dedicated tires are also showing trends towards "oil-electricity sharing platformization" and intelligentization. Companies like Bridgestone and Goodyear are developing intelligent tires with built-in sensors to achieve real-time road condition perception and energy consumption optimization. Driven by policy, market transformation, and technological evolution, dedicated tires for new energy vehicles are expected to become a core driver of future growth in the EU tire industry.
