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Heavyweight electric vehicles (EVs) have a pressing relationship with their tires. Due to their hefty battery packs, EVs can weigh nearly twice as much as internal combustion engine-powered vehicles. This weight burden often accelerates the wear and tear of the tires, having environmental effects, such as micro-plastic pollution, and also ironically counteracting the environmental benefit of reduced exhaust emissions. As if the environmental impact was not concerning enough, the accelerated wearing of tires translates to a decreased lifespan, necessitating replacement after a short 30,000-40,000 miles. However, according to Auto Buyers Market, a significant game-changer may be on the horizon.
On Tuesday, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company made a potentially groundbreaking announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas: a pioneering line of tires called the ElectricDrive 2, designed specifically for electric vehicles. A new era for EVs is being ushered in by this invention, aiming to address the persistent issues of wear, duration, and environmental impact associated with standard EV tires.
The ElectricDrive 2 was conceived not only to solve existing problems but also to excel in performance and durability. With a 60,000-mile warranty, these revolutionary tires promise to outlast the lifespan of their conventional counterparts by an impressive 50%. Now, not only will the ElectricDrive 2 tires alleviate the frequent replacement problem for owners, but they will also present a solution with far-reaching implications for the environment.
These tires have been crafted to limit their environmental impact meticulously. The ElectricDrive 2 tires will be constructed from materials including soybean oil, natural rubber sourced sustainably, and high-quality rice husk ash silica, a by-product from natural rice processing. By making use of these materials, Goodyear has created a tire that not only enables better longevity but also respects and cares for the environment in an unprecedented way.
For the EV owners worried about performance, the ElectricDrive 2 series was announced to come in 17 different sizes, making it Goodyear’s largest EV-specific line. Vehicles such as the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Chevy Bolt will be catered for, alongside many others.
Projected to hit the retail shelves in May of this year, Goodyear’s Chief Technology Officer, Chris Helsel, speaking at CES, remained tight-lipped about the cost and production capacity of these innovative tires, adding an air of anticipation to the EV community and industry.
The introduction of the ElectricDrive 2 series is a major stride in Goodyear’s journey towards bolstering the EV market, adding this to their spectrum of EV-related offerings like the Urban Max BSA line of electric bus tires unveiled in June 2023.
The launch of the ElectricDrive 2 tires firmly establishes Goodyear as an industry pioneer confronting the major challenges facing the EV market. By doing so, they are not only maintaining the pace at which EV technology is advancing but are also playing a vital role in shaping the future of sustainable mobility, positively impacting the environment and the EV ownership experience.
Published by: Martin De Juan
