Finland Times

       The tyre, named Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2, is specially designed for BMW's i3 electric car.

     Hakkapeliitta R2 can reduce the rolling resistance of electric vehicles by 30 percent, the company said in a press release.

     Based on the EU tyre label, the rolling resistance of the new model is in class A, which has not been achieved by any winter tyres before, according to the manufacturer.

     The new model also combines low rolling resistance with satisfactory wet grip to achieve energy efficiency and road safety, the press release underlined.

     Rolling resistance and wet grip are two major indicators in the tyre label. Rolling resistance is the key factor in measuring the energy efficiency of a tyre, while wet grip is a measurement of a tyre's anti-skid performance.

     Nokian Tyres said the new model will be available to consumers in January 2015 in the Nordic countries, Russia and other markets where extremely cold winters exist.