BY BRIAN HAGMAN ON
Essen, February 2018. Hella Pagid, the Essen-based brake system specialist serving the independent aftermarket and operating in a joint venture with automotive suppliers TMD Frictionand HELLA, provides disc brake pads for all Tesla Model S and Tesla X P100D AWD.
The electrification of the drive train and a focus on the environment and saving resources have accelerated across the global automotive industry. “Thanks to the expansion of our product portfolio in this era, we not only meet current trends but are one step ahead of the market”, says Thomas Weyler, product manager for brake pads at Hella Pagid. “For our brake pads are already copper-free”.
From 2021, the proportion of copper in brake pads may legally no longer exceed 5%. By 2025, brake pads sold in the USA must be entirely copper-free. Hella Pagid aims at converting its worldwide product range entirely to copper-free brake pads even before the deadline. “Already today, almost the entire range of disc brake pads only contains 0.5 percent copper and is therefore considered copper-free relative to the overall weight”, says Thomas Weyler. The front and rear axle brake pads of the Tesla models also meet these criteria and are labeled with the respective leaf symbol (N – copper-free).
The special formulation of the front axle brake pads is not only environmentally friendly but also tailored to the respective vehicle types, brake systems, engine outputs, driving loads and braking characteristics. “The dynamic Tesla S models accelerate very fast, making an excellent brake performance crucial”, says Timo Krämer, marketing manager at Hella Pagid. The friction lining meets this requirement. Hella Pagid has tested its characteristics at its internal research and development center with regard to friction coefficient, pedal pressure and heat wear and tear. The brake pads furthermore meet the ECE standard 90 and original equipment (OE) quality standards regarding brake performance, braking comfort and durability.