Speedup of electric motor vehicles demands higher tension of contact wire to increase its wave propagation velocity in order to suppress the contact loss ratio. As one of the answers for the demand, a PHC contact wire made of one of Cu-Cr-Zr Precipitation-Hardened Copper alloys was proposed, but it still remains uncertain if the PHC contact wire really provides necessary durability. Then, the PHC contact wire material was studied for heat resistance, creep, fatigue strength, wear characteristics in sliding with contact strip and corrosion resistance around seashore. The test results proved that PHC provides not only high tensile strength and necessary electric conductivity but also good durability.