20 Sep 21
News

Bridgestone focuses on tyres for EVs

Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone is transforming its business to produce more tyres specifically for electric vehicles.

EV tyres prioritise low rolling resistance to save battery life and maximise range, while supporting the higher weight of electric and hybrid vehicles due to heavy battery packs. Bridgestone said its Enliten technology reduces rolling resistance by up to 30%, and weight by up to 20%, while its B-Silent technologies minimise tyre noise for cars with silent motors.

The company forecasts that EV tyres will account for 20% of the tyres that it supplies as original equipment by 2024, up from 11% this year and just 4% in 2019.

Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO of Bridgestone EMIA, said: “We’re investing to make electric mobility more efficient and accessible to drivers and fleets. This is seeing us pioneer premium tyres and tyre technologies for EVs, dedicated fleet and mobility solutions, as well as partner with leading EV manufacturers and developing an EV-ready retail and service network.”

Half of the top 10 most sold EVs in Europe are fitted with bespoke Bridgestone tyres as original equipment, including the BMW i3, Fiat 500 EV, Nissan LEAF, Mercedes EQA and EQB, and the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4.

 

Image: Bridgestone

 

Authored by: Jonathan Manning