- Designed specifically for electrically assisted urban delivery bikes
- 33% lower cost of ownership compared to conventional bicycle tyres
- Advanced compound and stable structure maximise all-weather safety for riders
- Supply agreement will see the tyre fitted to EAV’s all-new four-wheel eCargo bikes
- Launch supports Apollo Tyres’ increasing focus on sustainable mobility
- New tyre will make its debut next month at Eurobike 2022 in Frankfurt, Germany
7 July 2022 – Apollo Tyres is to launch its first dedicated micro-mobility tyre, the Vredestein Cargo. Developed specifically for electrically assisted cargo bikes used for urban deliveries, the new tyre will make its debut at Eurobike 2022 in Frankfurt, Germany (13 to 17 July). The new tyre will be available in one size, with a 20-inch (508mm) diameter and 2.2-inch (55 mm) width. Additional sizes will be announced in 2023.
The Vredestein Cargo is the result of over two years of development and is designed to offer significantly higher levels of durability, stability and puncture resistance than conventional bicycle tyres that are traditionally fitted to ‘last-mile’ delivery e-bikes.
The Vredestein Cargo features an advanced compound, innovative apex design to strengthen the sidewalls, and a robust carcass with a steel wire bead, which combine to deliver more than six times greater lifespan than a standard bicycle tyre. Field trials indicate that the Vredestein Cargo will last for approximately 8,000-10,000km; far in excess of the 1,500km average mileage for a standard bicycle tyre, and ensuring that the new Vredestein tyre delivers a significantly lower total cost of ownership.
The high wear-rate of conventional tyres used by cargo e-bikes can compromise the safety of riders, especially when road surfaces are wet or slippery. Thanks to its revolutionary structural properties, which are heavily influenced by the design of Vredestein passenger car tyres, the new Vredestein Cargo offers superior standards of comfort, grip and traction – year-round and in all weather conditions.
Coinciding with the launch, Apollo Tyres has signed an exclusive partnership agreement with UK micro-mobility company EAV, which will fit the Vredestein Cargo to its new generation of advanced four-wheel eCargo bikes. EAV played a key role in shaping the design of the Vredestein Cargo, ensuring it met the most demanding user requirements.
Business Development Manager, Two Wheel Tyres at Apollo Tyres, Alexander Mai, said: “We didn’t already have a product in this fast-growing segment, and that meant we could start the project with a clean sheet of paper. Our R&D team took an imaginative approach to addressing some of the key deficiencies of conventional bicycle tyres, drawing on insight from our latest road-car programmes. This has ensured the Vredestein Cargo sets entirely new benchmarks for quality, durability, performance, cost of ownership and safety.
General Manager, Two Wheel Tyres at Apollo Tyres, Thomas Mittendorff, said: “The launch of the new tyre is also a statement of intent regarding our efforts to support more sustainable forms of mobility – crucial as new regulations push combustion-engine cars out of cities. We are implementing significant changes in our manufacturing processes and supply chains, and new products will be central to our strategy. The arrival of the Vredestein Cargo signals a commitment to the micro-mobility market, part of a wider focus on the needs of electrified vehicles of all types.”
Adam Barmby, Founder and CEO at EAV, added: “Unlocking the dynamic capabilities of our new eCargo range relies heavily on the use of high-quality tyres, and so we were excited by the opportunity to collaborate with Apollo Tyres to create something entirely new that was better suited to the needs of the segment. We’re confident that the Vredestein Cargo is the perfect solution, utilising advanced compounds and design to offer new levels of durability, performance and safety. Crucially, it also keeps the cost of tyre ownership low for operators and minimises the downtime that typically results from repair and replacement.”
Vredestein-brand products have a long heritage in the bicycle market, with the first products manufactured for the sector in 1910. Now part of the global Apollo Tyres product family, Vredestein tyres are acclaimed for outperforming leading brands while being available at an affordable price point.
Apollo Tyres will display the Vredestein Cargo at Eurobike 2022 from 13 to 17 July 2022 on stand Hall 9.1 Booth F04. The new tyre will be on display fitted to the latest EAV eCargo bike. Alexander Mai will also deliver a presentation on the Vredestein Cargo on 14 July at 1:30pm at the Cargo Area Stage in Hall 8.
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Anicecommunication – Press Office Apollo Tyres | Vredestein Italy
