Yes, you read that right: on October 22, the famous Japanese company Bridgestone will be supplying its tires to racers in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a unique event for solar-powered cars. For the first time since 2019, the event is back for its 2023 edition, but its history goes back much further. Although we don't usually hear much about solar vehicles, the first edition of the race took place in 1987, more than a decade before the birth of your humble servant...
This year, however, Bridgestone is bringing something new to the table: its ENLITEN technology, which lets them create tires that meet drivers' requirements while using more recycled materials. After all, excellent tires are needed, since the Challenge represents a course of over 3000 kilometers through the Australian outback! It's the perfect environment to put Bridgestone's new technology to the test.
63% recycled or renewable
ENLITEN technology is not reserved for solar cars or even racing cars, but rather represents a new chapter in Bridgestone's history. Without altering the performance of their products, the manufacturer has succeeded in modifying its rubber to use two-thirds recycled materials or materials derived from renewable sources. At the last BWSC event, this proportion was only 30%. Integrating recycled rubber, reclaimed carbon black and rice husk silica into the rubber doubled this figure.
The manufacturer's main challenge was to succeed in modifying its recipe without reducing the effectiveness of its product. The ENLITEN tires supplied to BWSC drivers offer lower rolling resistance, wear less quickly and are lighter than ever. These features are particularly important for electric vehicles, whether solar-powered or not. Even their delivery has been designed to reduce environmental impact, thanks to DHL's GoGreen Plus service.
Solar, but not only
Bridgestone's partnership with the event is just one facet of their commitment to environmental preservation and carbon neutrality. While the company plans to achieve its objectives by 2050, it is already working hard to offer quality products manufactured in a sustainable manner. The exceptional longevity of models already offered on Blackcircles.ca, such as Driveguard Plus RFT or Turanza Quiettrack, is already helping to reduce the impact of tire manufacturing on the environment. The addition of new technologies like ENLITEN promises to make the range even more efficient and, above all, less polluting. What more could you ask for?
