Continental has cemented its position as the leading original-equipment tyre supplier for electric vehicles, securing fitments with all ten of the highest-volume EV manufacturers in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region in 2025.
According to the manufacturer’s announcement, the company’s OE reach extends further globally: 17 of the 20 highest-volume electric vehicle manufacturers worldwide now fit Continental tyres as standard. Named brands include BYD, Volkswagen, Stellantis, BMW, NIO, Hyundai, and Renault.
| Region | Top EV manufacturers supplied | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| EMEA | All ten highest-volume brands | 10 / 10 |
| Americas | 8 of top 10 manufacturers | 8 / 10 |
| Asia Pacific | 7 of top 10 manufacturers | 7 / 10 |
| Global | 17 of top 20 manufacturers | 17 / 20 |
Continental notes that the Chinese market is “particularly volatile,” with new high-volume manufacturers entering the top rankings within a single year.
Why EV Makers Keep Choosing Continental
Electric vehicles place specific demands on tyres: battery weight increases load requirements, instant torque accelerates tread wear, and the near-silent drivetrain makes road noise from tyres more noticeable to occupants.
Continental argues it began addressing these challenges before EV adoption went mainstream. The company introduced its first energy-efficiency-focused tyre line — the ContiEcoContact — in 1993. The current seventh generation, EcoContact 7, is its flagship EV-compatible product. The tyre features a sidewall pattern Continental calls “aerodimple” — small dimples inspired by golf ball surfaces that reduce air turbulence and lower rolling energy. Newly developed materials in the carcass, inner layer and sidewall reduce internal friction, and a tuned tread pattern specifically targets noise at speeds around 50 km/h, where urban road noise is most apparent.
“We began designing our passenger tyres for low rolling resistance, quiet rolling noise and high load capacity very early on. These properties are especially important for electric vehicles,” said Dennis Bellmund, responsible for Continental’s global OE business.
EV Market Context
The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) projected a 23% rise in global battery-electric vehicle sales for 2025 — from 10.3 million units in 2024 to 12.7 million. Europe registered approximately 2.5 million new EVs in 2025, up around 26% year-on-year. North America held flat at roughly 1.4 million.
Continental’s OE market position matters beyond prestige: drivers replacing factory-fitted tyres frequently choose the same brand, meaning original fitments feed replacement sales. Since 2023, Continental has added an EV-compatible logo to all tyres designed specifically for electric vehicle use. The EcoContact 7 was recently selected as original equipment for the smart #5 — available in 255/45 R20 and 255/40 R21 — and is sold as a retail replacement tyre across all main markets. Drivers wanting to determine whether EV-specific tyres justify the premium may find this Autobild real-world range test useful.