I’m sure I’m not telling you anything new when I say that the world is moving more and more towards the electrification of its transportation. There are more choices than ever before in the marketplace for alternatives to traditional combustion engines. This is especially obvious when you look at the various media that cover automotive news. Virtually every new model unveiled or launched by manufacturers seems to take advantage of electrification in one way or another!
Indeed, it is not only the 100% electric models that can benefit from the latest technologies in terms of ecology and fossil fuel economy. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids also use electricity for a smoother and, at least in theory, less polluting experience. Those, however, come with a number of issues, including range and battery weight. A normal tire just won’t do! Goodyear’s solution? The ElectricDrive range, which was enriched at the beginning of September with new sizes…
What is ElectricDrive?
Goodyear has been developing all aspects of these tires for electric vehicles for several years now. Already in 2018, when the name Electric Drive was still that of the prototype technology presented at the Geneva Motor Show, we could see what the tire would become. Optimized to carry more weight, it was constructed of multiple layers to ensure consistent lightness and strength.
What the U.S. company has brought to market in the last year under the name ElectricDrive GT is directly inspired by this. Its reduced rolling resistance also allows the vehicle to have a greater range, since it reduces energy consumption. Another factor that is often overlooked is that the increased torque of electric motors damages tires more quickly. That’s why Goodyear has also reinforced the tread.
Why more sizes?
As the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, so does the variety available on the market. Early models of electric vehicles were often smaller and generally had a shorter range. Today, they come in all shapes and sizes and with all kinds of needs. From pickup trucks like the Ford Lightning to SUVs like the BMW iX, all segments are eligible for electrification, even race cars!
So a larger selection of sizes for ElectricDrive means they’ll be doing the job for even more models. The company even says that the addition of these four new sizes means that they are available for 44% more EVs, at least in the US. If your car isn’t one of them, don’t panic. All tire manufacturers have at least one such model, such as the Bridgestone Ecopia or Michelin Energy Saver. More or less efficient than ElectricDrive? It’s up to you to find out!
