The tire and technology company Continental has won the busplaner Innovation Award 2025 from HUSS-VERLAG with its new bus tire Conti Urban HA 5. The tire impressed the readers of the busplaner as the best solution in the category "Tires and Tire Management" and prevailed over five competitors. The biennial vote awards the accolade for outstanding achievements in the bus segment across 13 categories. Readers can choose their favorite from five to six suggestions.
Last time in 2023 Michelin was the first-place winner in this category. According to Timo Röbbel, Head of Marketing for Replacement Tire Business Continental Germany, the Hannover-based tire specialist has aligned their development with the needs of fleet and public transport operators. The product is characterized by multiple features that relate to durability and efficiency, as well as safety. Additionally, the new tire is also intended to meet the varying requirements of e-buses. Röbbel:
"The busplaner Innovation Award confirms that the combination of high mileage and economic efficiency of the Conti Urban HA 5 represents the ideal solution for future urban bus traffic."
Innovative and efficient – for Diesel and E-Buses
According to the information, Continental has developed the Urban HA 5 specifically for urban traffic. The product was announced at the end of August 2024. The development focused on typical urban challenges such as changing road conditions, frequent stops, heavy traffic, as well as the increasing use of electric buses. The result is a city bus tire that aims to combine durability with safety and efficiency through a special "cap-base compound." In view of the increased use of e-buses, characteristics such as higher torque and weight, which distinguish electric from diesel buses and accordingly also have impacts on tire usage, were taken into account.
The Urban HA 5 was designed to be correspondingly robust with high mileage. According to Conti, it consists of innovative materials which are not specified in detail. The website says about the tire that "the new profile design and the multi-pitch technology" optimize driving behavior on wet roads and reduce rolling noise, "which contributes to a safer and more comfortable ride" – even in difficult weather conditions. This has also earned the tire the EU tire label A in the noise category.
Additionally, the reduced rolling resistance allows for increased fuel efficiency in diesel versions, meaning less energy in the form of fuel is required, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions. When used on electric buses, the optimized efficiency can extend the battery life and reduce the frequency of charging, according to the website. Continental summarizes:
"The compound increases the tire's mileage and thus reduces the frequency of tire changes. Additionally, the new tire model offers improved rolling resistance, which directly translates into higher fuel efficiency. The robust tread pattern ensures good traction and braking performance and scores with excellent driving behavior on wet surfaces. The reinforced sidewall and sturdy rubber compound of the tire increase resistance against curbs and other obstacles."
Optional: ContiConnect Sensors
Equipped with the optionally available ContiConnect sensors, the Urban HA 5 offers, according to the supplier, an "innovative digital tire monitoring." Fleet managers could thus access accurate data on tire pressure, temperature, and mileage. This allows maintenance to be optimized, potentially resulting in lower operating costs. Conti: "This digital integration supports predictive maintenance and helps avoid unexpected downtime. This is crucial for adhering to schedules in cities with high traffic volumes."
About the Competition
The specialist magazine busplaner from the Munich-based HUSS-VERLAG has awarded the busplaner Innovation Prize for innovative and practical solutions for the seventh time this year. 890 readers participated in the selection. Awarded are electric models, hybrid and travel buses, assistance systems, fleet management, and smart tire management. Here is the Gallery of Award Winners 2025.
About Continental
For more than 150 years, Continental has stood for innovative solutions and is one of the largest tire manufacturers worldwide. The technology company, founded in 1871, achieved sales of 39.7 billion euros in 2024 and currently employs around 190,000 people in 55 countries and markets. The tire solutions from the Tires business segment include passenger car, truck, bus, two-wheeler, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and the tire trade. In the 2024 fiscal year, the Tires business segment recorded sales of 13.9 billion euros. Continental employs more than 57,000 people worldwide in the tire sector and has 20 production and 16 development sites.
