Auto manufacturers are constantly trying to improve efficiency in modern cars. Carbon fibre wheels are believed to be an important innovation in this regard. While many believe the technology will only benefit performance vehicles, these wheels might benefit regular EVs as well. Due to their lighter weight and noise-free operation, these wheels can play a role in making an EV more efficient.
Let’s try to understand the concept of carbon fibre wheels in EVs via an example. Over the past few years, you may have noticed the size of car wheels getting bigger and bigger. This is because manufacturers often include heavy wheels on cars, especially on SUVs and trucks. It is usually an element of aesthetics as bigger wheels make cars look more powerful. While the wheels look pretty stylish, they add a lot of weight to the suspension system and can affect the vehicle’s performance.
This is where carbon fibre wheels come into play. With this lightweight material, it is now possible to add larger wheels without extra weight.
What Are Carbon Fibre Wheels
Originally, carbon fibre composites were used in the aerospace industry. However, the technology was first discovered by the automotive sector via racing vehicles. A good lap on the F1 track isn’t possible with heavy wheels.
F1 designer John Barnard realised he could make cars as stronger as those made with steel or aluminium but much lighter. Carbon fibre is the material of choice for single-seat race cars and sporty prototypes for quite some time.
Due to its higher cost, carbon fibre isn’t really common on regular road cars, many hypercars have carbon fibre chassis tubs and some performance cars may also have body panels made of carbon fibre.
It took some time for people to realise the benefits of carbon fibre wheels but that discovery was also made for the first time on a race track. The discovery was made by a Formula SAE team as a way to reduce a car’s weight.
Ashley Denmand, engineer and design director for Carbon Revolution – a global technology company leading the Carbon Wheel technology, made carbon wheels that were lighter in size and less noisy as compared to their metal counterparts. So far, carbon fibre wheels are being used in Ferraris, Ford GT500 and Corvette Z06.
Benefits of Carbon Fibre Wheels in EVs
In an attempt to make EVs even more efficient, many manufacturers are planning to use carbon fibre wheels in their electric vehicles. Following are the potential benefits of carbon fibre wheels in EVS:
Reduced Unsprung Mass
Aluminium wheels larger than 24 inches are too heavy and affect a car’s overall performance. On the other hand, carbon fibre reduces the weight of 24-inch wheels by up to 40 percent.
Despite the lower weight, carbon fibre wheels are not fragile. They are meticulously manufactured to ensure durability, resilience and performance.
Longer Range
Electric vehicles are all about extending the driving range. Carbon fibre wheels in EVs are going to be 40 percent lighter than their aluminium counterparts. As a result, an electric vehicle will be able to squeeze out extra range from the battery. Naturally, the rolling range will improve due to less weight on the suspension system.
Sharper Handling
Due to the lower weight of carbon fibre wheels, less energy will be consumed to move, speed up and slow down the vehicle. This can make up for sharper handling, allowing a quick response time and an overall better driving experience.
Lesser Noise
Electric vehicles do not have combustion engines therefore they are less noisy. According to Carbon Revolution, a carbon fibre wheel OEM supplier working with numerous auto manufacturers, carbon fibre wheels can further cut noise by around 5 decibels and increase the efficiency of electric vehicles by 5 percent.
Cons of Carbon Fibre Wheels
While the above mentioned are definite pros of carbon fibre wheels, the only con is that they are costly. That said, Carbon Revolution is working towards reducing the manufacturing costs and enabling mass production through ‘mega line’ – a fully-automated production line.
That is all about carbon fibre wheels and their benefits for EVs. It’s worth noting that EVs tend to be quite efficient even with regular wheels and manufacturers are only trying to make them better through continuous innovation. If you wish to drive around in an electric vehicle, dubizzle has a huge collection of used cars for sale in the UAE including EVs.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more on the latest automotive technologies.
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