Veteran tire manufacturer Bridgestone has unveiled its inaugural tire dedicated to electric vehicles (EVs) at an event in Southern California. The Turanza EV tire, showcased in front of an enthusiastic crowd, is a grand touring tire designed to handle the increased torque of EVs in all seasons. Notably, this tire introduces several groundbreaking Bridgestone technologies, and its initial target market includes Tesla and Ford EV drivers.
Bridgestone Corporation boasts a long-standing history in tire production, dating back to the early 1930s in Japan. However, the company’s involvement with EVs has taken a slightly different trajectory. In previous instances, Bridgestone has demonstrated its support for the EV revolution through various partnerships.
One such collaboration occurred when Bridgestone’s EMIA (Europe, Russia, Middle East, India, Africa) division developed a specialized tire for the now-defunct Lightyear One solar EV. Another significant partnership emerged when Bridgestone announced its exclusive tire supply agreement with Einride, an autonomous commercial EV developer, for US fleets. In exchange, Einride assisted Bridgestone in electrifying the majority of its own vehicle fleet.
More recently, Bridgestone teamed up with Blink Charging to install Level 2 EV chargers at numerous retail locations. These partnerships exemplify Bridgestone’s dedication to supporting EVs over the years. However, until now, the company had not introduced its own EV-specific tire for the mass market.
The unveiling of the Turanza EV tire occurred at the Electrify Expo in Long Beach, California, where it garnered considerable attention. Notably, this replacement tire marks Bridgestone’s first implementation of ENLITEN technology in North America. ENLITEN incorporates 50% renewable and recycled materials while still providing enhanced longevity and all-season performance.
To achieve this sustainability milestone, the Turanza EV tire incorporates recycled materials such as carbon black sourced from used tires, synthetic rubber derived from plastic bags and bottles, renewable soybean oil, and even rice husk silica, which is typically discarded during rice harvesting.
Additionally, the Turanza EV tire features Bridgestone’s PeakLife technology, a cutting-edge polymer that improves tread wear resistance, ultimately extending the tire’s lifespan. Riccardo Cichi, President and Chief Sales Officer for Bridgestone Americas, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s first EV-dedicated tire, highlighting its potential to enhance the overall driving experience of electric vehicle owners. Cichi emphasized the focus on ride comfort, all-season driving performance, excellent wear life, and the introduction of ENLITEN, which signifies a significant shift in tire technology and design, incorporating a greater reliance on renewable and recycled materials.
The Turanza EV tire, from its design to its development and manufacturing, is entirely based in North America, which serves as its primary target market. Initially, Bridgestone will offer five sizes that fit Tesla models including the Model 3, Model S, Model X, Model Y, as well as the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Goodyear also offers EV-specific tires within its product lineup.
Looking ahead, Bridgestone has plans to introduce an additional 13 tire sizes, set to launch in early 2024. The Turanza EV tire comes with a 50,000-mile limited warranty and boasts optimal performance on wet roads.