Bridgestone develops EV tire for solar-powered vehicle

HELMOND, Netherlands — Bridgestone Corp. has developed lightweight ultra-low-rolling-resistance tires for what is being touted as the world's first long-range solar electric-powered car.

Bridgestone's Turanza Eco tires will be used on the Lightyear One vehicle expected to be commercially available in Europe by year-end.

The tire maker combines its lightweight ENLITEN and ologic technologies for the first time in these Turanza Eco tires.

"The technologies reduce weight through the use of fewer raw materials throughout the manufacturing process, while cutting rolling resistance through innovative tread patterns, larger diameters, high inflation pressures, and a slim design," Bridgestone said.

Lightyear, of Helmond, said its initial vehicle will have a range of 450 miles while using a solar roof for charging.

The tire's very low rolling resistance allows Lightyear One to use a lighter battery that allows the vehicle to have a longer range. Improved silica dispersion in the tire also is allowing for about a 10% reduction in the tire's weight without impact to grip or wear mileage, Bridgestone said.

The Turanza Eco tyres (size 175/60R19) will bear a new Bridgestone EV Marking on the sidewalls. The new marking will apply to tires that are tailor-made for EVs and indicates the tires underwent a rigorous testing process to receive approval from car manufacturers.

Bridgestone's ologic fuel-efficient tire technology helps design products that offer superior fuel efficiency with the two distinct features — large tire diameter and high inflation pressure to mitigate deformation of a tire in contact with the road surface and thus reduce rolling resistance; and narrow tire width to reduce aero-dynamic resistance.

Enliten technology employs a compound mix and dedicated mold design concept that yields improved wear performance and a shallower tread depth. In addition, the tire's reinforced inner liner is thinner.

These combine to reduce weight by 10% on average versus a standard premium summer touring tire, Bridgestone said, while also reducing rolling resistance by up to 20%.