AUTO

Goodyear Introduces an EV Tire Made From 50% Sustainable Materials

February 2, 2024

We’ve been treated to all sorts of great announcements from CES this year and another interesting one comes from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company with their new EV tire. The Goodyear ElectricDrive 2, an all-season electric vehicle (EV) tire, takes the company’s long-standing reputation and puts it into a tire designed for electric vehicles. Goodyear takes into account EV weight and the need for sound-dampening technology — without compromising tire performance.

Not only this, but the new Goodyear tire incorporates at least 50% sustainable materials by weight, something that will please a lot of EV drivers. The use of soybean oil, rice husk ash silica, and sustainably sourced natural rubber contributes to environmental conservation. It also ensures improved rolling resistance and prolonged tread life. For EV drivers, this means a more efficient drive, which can help improve total range.

Goodyear’s mission is to produce a tire made of 100% sustainable materials by 2030. In moving towards this goal, it’s looking to lower the overall carbon footprint of both passenger and commercial vehicles. Earlier this year, it announced a 90% sustainable material demonstration tire that’s already been approved for road use.

“We continue to make progress toward our goal of introducing the first 100% sustainable-material tire in the industry by 2030,” said Chris Helsel, senior vice president, Global Operations and Chief Technology Officer. “The past year was a pivotal one toward achieving this goal. We researched new technologies, identified opportunities for further collaboration and utilized our team’s tenacity to not only demonstrate our capabilities to produce a 90% sustainable-material tire, but to also produce a tire with up to 70% sustainable-material content this year. Our team continues to showcase its innovation and commitment to building a better future.”

Elevated Performance for EVs

Designed specifically for electric vehicles, the ElectricDrive 2 is equipped with a long-lasting tread compound and an asymmetric tread pattern for superior grip and responsiveness. Drivers can expect confident handling in both wet and dry road conditions. The ElectricDrive 2 is an ideal all-season companion for EVs.

Recent consumer research from Goodyear highlights the importance of a quiet ride and reliable wet-road performance for EV owners. Addressing this, the ElectricDrive 2 features SoundComfort Technology®, a built-in sound barrier that significantly reduces interior vehicle noise. This is especially important for electric vehicles as they don’t have engine noise to drown out the sound coming from the road and tires. This technology makes for a more serene driving experience.

David Reese, vice president of Product Development at Goodyear Americas, emphasizes the company’s focus on evolving consumer and market needs. He spoke to this, “With the continued adoption of EVs, we want to meet consumer and market needs with an updated EV replacement tire. We know EV drivers prioritize performance and a more sustainable tire. The ElectricDrive 2 was designed with at least 50% sustainable materials, a focus on providing greater traction and maintaining a quiet ride.”

Key Features at a Glance

SoundComfort Technology® for reduced vehicle interior sound.
At least 50% sustainable materials, including eco-friendly construction components.
Asymmetric tread pattern for improved wet and dry road grip.
Durable tread compound designed for extended tire life.
Aerodynamic sidewall and innovative compound for reduced drag and lower rolling resistance.

The ElectricDrive 2, anticipated to be available from May 2024 in the U.S., will come in 17 sizes. This variety ensures compatibility with leading and emerging electric sedans and CUVs, including popular models like the Tesla Models Y, 3, and S, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevy Bolt, Audi Q4 e-tron, and many others.