New Delhi

MRF Ltd, a leading tyre manufacturer, announced notable progress in the electric vehicle (EV) tyre segment, encompassing both OEM supply and replacement markets. The company, which is also the exclusive supplier of tyres for Indian defence aircraft and helicopters, is expanding its portfolio to include more aircraft and helicopters while exploring opportunities in export markets.

“We have established ourselves as a significant player in the EV segment, supplying tyres to major manufacturers of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and even the latest Maruti eVitara,” Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of MRF Ltd, told businessline  at the Bharat Mobility Expo.

As a top OEM partner, MRF supplies tyres to key EV models such as Tata Nexon, Mahindra EVs, Honda Activa Electric, Bajaj Chetak, HeroMoto Corp’s Vida, and new-age electric two-wheeler players like Ather, Ultraviolette, and Revolt. It also caters to e-bus manufacturers like JBM and Olectra, as well as electric three-wheeler manufacturers such as Piaggio.

“Our EV-specific tyres are designed with unique features. They are optimised for low rolling resistance, which enhances battery efficiency and increases vehicle range. Some models are equipped with specialized foam inside the tyre to absorb noise, ensuring quieter operation—a critical requirement for EVs. These advancements make us a leader in this space,” Mammen said.

Meanwhile, replacement demand in the EV segment is also gradually picking up. Typically, EV tyres last for 15,000–20,000 km, and older EV models are now entering the replacement cycle. “For instance, Mahindra’s early EV models and vehicles like the Bajaj Chetak are beginning to require tyre replacements,” said Rajat K Nangia, Vice President – Sales, MRF.

Mammen further emphasised MRF’s unique position as India’s sole supplier of defence tyres, covering a wide range of applications.

“We supply tyres for Sukhoi jets, Tejas, Apache helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other defence aircraft. New aircraft and helicopters are being introduced, and we have been asked to develop tyres for them. Although this segment represents a small percentage of our overall revenue, it holds immense prestige as a contribution to national defence and the ‘Make in India’ program,” he added.

Defence exports

India is also emerging as a hub for defence exports, and MRF is leveraging this opportunity by exporting aircraft tyres. It has already begun supplying through HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) and is exploring further global opportunities in defence exports while continuing to meet domestic defence requirements.

In terms of overall tyre exports, MRF’s global presence is expanding, with exports growing by 20–25 per cent over the past two quarters. Currently, exports account for 10–12 per cent of the company’s business, with plans to increase this share to 15 per cent . “We supply to over 70 countries, including Southeast Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, and continue to explore new markets and expand our dealer networks,” Mammen said.

The ₹25,486 crore company has also been expanding its manufacturing capacity in response to market demand. This includes both increasing capacity at specific plants and optimizing existing facilities to meet growing needs. “In the last fiscal year, we invested over ₹2,100 crore in capital expenditure. This fiscal, we have already spent about ₹700 crore in the first half, and a similar amount may be incurred in the second half,” Mammen noted.

With 10 plants strategically located across India, capacity enhancements are tailored to meet market demand in specific product categories.