Continental has reinforced its commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient mobility by continuously reducing rolling resistance across each new generation of passenger car and van tires, a move that significantly lowers energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions for both conventional and electric vehicles.
Rolling resistance—the energy lost as a tire deforms and recovers while rolling—plays a crucial role in vehicle efficiency. According to Continental, tires account for nearly 20–30 percent of fuel consumption in internal combustion engine vehicles, while in electric vehicles (EVs), lower rolling resistance directly translates into extended driving range and reduced energy use.
“Reducing rolling resistance is one of our key development goals. The less energy a vehicle needs to move, the further it can travel—saving customers money and benefiting the environment,” said Dr Christian Strübel, Continental expert for rolling resistance in passenger-car tires. He added that the company continuously works to strike the ideal balance between efficiency and safety, ensuring optimal grip under all driving conditions.
Achieving this balance remains a major engineering challenge, as grip—essential for braking and handling—depends on friction between the tire tread and the road. Continental addresses this through advanced materials, innovative rubber compounds, and optimized tread designs, allowing lower rolling resistance without compromising safety.
Over the past decade, Continental has reduced rolling resistance in its passenger-car tire portfolio by an average of 15 percent. Its latest products, including the EcoContact 7 and EcoContact 7 S, introduced in spring 2025, have received the EU tire label class “A” for fuel efficiency, indicating exceptionally low rolling resistance. Similarly, the VanContact A/S Eco has achieved A/A/A ratings for rolling resistance, wet braking and external noise, making it particularly suited for electric and commercial vehicle fleets.
The company highlighted that rolling resistance is becoming increasingly critical as the global transport sector remains one of the largest contributors to greenhouse-gas emissions. In the European Union alone, road transport CO₂ emissions rose by 24 percent between 1990 and 2022, underlining the urgency of efficiency-driven solutions. Regulatory measures such as the EU tire labeling system, updated in 2021, aim to promote transparency and encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly tires.
Low rolling resistance tires are also a key consideration for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), particularly in the EV segment where driving range is a decisive factor. Continental noted that 18 of the world’s top 20 electric vehicle manufacturers currently equip their vehicles with Continental tires as standard.
With growing public concern over climate change, rising fuel prices and accelerating EV adoption, Continental stated that rolling resistance optimization will remain central to its tire development strategy, supporting cleaner, safer and more sustainable mobility worldwide.
