The Hannover-based tire manufacturer Continental has introduced a new van tire, the VanContact A/S Eco, which, as the first all-season tire with top ratings in all categories of the EU tire label, is set to set new standards in the van segment.
“Thanks to its optimized rolling resistance, the VanContact A/S Eco contributes to lower energy consumption and lower CO2 emissions, without compromising safety and comfort,” says Stefanie Schütt, Product Manager for Commercial Vehicle Tires Germany at Continental.
The new tire is intended to meet the evolving demands of the commercial vehicle sector—for example, compatibility with electric vehicles, resource efficiency, and optimization of fleet performance.
New Performance Standards
It is intended to address the growing variety of light commercial vehicles for transport, delivery, and passenger traffic. Quiet electric
vans, which emit no emissions during operation, are for many companies and municipalities a practical and cost-effective option for electrifying their fleets—especially in urban delivery traffic. Due to increasingly stringent emissions regulations, ambitious EU climate targets and rising customer expectations regarding mid-term CO2 neutrality, the Hanover-based company expects steadily growing demand for light electric commercial vehicles.
At the same time, vehicles with conventional engines are expected to remain an everyday sight on public roads for the foreseeable future. The new tire is designed to be suitable for all drive configurations and to offer a resource-efficient solution for vehicles with internal combustion engines as well as electric drives. The tire is marked with the EV checkmark symbol on the sidewall, indicating its suitability for electric vehicles.
Improvements in all
performance categories
The developers claim clear improvements in all three tire label categories compared with the predecessor model. Roll resistance has been reduced by 21 percent. Noise emission and the tire’s vibrations could be reduced by more than one decibel. In addition, the tire offers a markedly improved grip in aquaplaning, the manufacturer promises: its resistance to hydroplaning could be increased by ten percent. In the end, this also translates into tangible cost savings, greater range, and significantly improved driving comfort. As an all-season tire, it also makes seasonal tire changes unnecessary and reduces maintenance costs.
Innovative Compound and Tread Technology
In new technologies, the company cites a weight-optimized construction, a tailor-made rubber compound and an optimized tread design. The Smart Energy Casing technology is intended to provide
the basis for greater energy efficiency, a new steel cord belt system to provide structural strength, and thus also contribute to efficiency. The reduced spacing between the tread blocks relative to earlier tire series, achieved through an “optimized pitch sequence,” reduces external noise and is intended to ensure a quieter and more comfortable ride, the Lower Saxony-based company promises. Snow catchers, a V-shaped tread pattern, and innovative sipes, in turn, are intended to ensure reliable performance and safety in all weather conditions.
“Overall, with these innovations we reduce vibrations, improve grip, and ensure reliable performance in all weather conditions,” summarizes Stefanie Schütt.
The tire will be available from Q1 2026 in European markets in the sizes 205/75 R16C and 235/65 R16C. Further sizes will follow depending on OEM
