HELMOND, Netherlands—Bridgestone Corp. is providing tires to what is being touted as the world's first long-range solar electric powered car.
Bridgestone's Turanza Eco tires will be used on the Lightyear One vehicle expected to be commercially available in Europe by the end of this year.
The tire maker combines its lightweight Enliten and Ologic technologies for the first time in these Turanza Eco tires.
"The technologies reduce weight through the use of fewer raw materials throughout the manufacturing process, while cutting rolling resistance through innovative tread patterns, larger diameters, high inflation pressures, and a slim design," Bridgestone said in a statement.
Lightyear, of Helmond, said its initial vehicle will have a range of 450 miles, or 725 kilometers while using a solar roof for charging.
The tire's very low rolling resistance allows Lightyear One can use a lighter battery that allows the vehicle to have a longer range. Improved silica dispersion in the tire also is allowing for about a 10 percent reduction in the tire's weight without impact to grip or wear mileage, Bridgestone said.
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