Enso sets 2030 date to decarbonize its tires for EVs

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—United Kingdom-based Enso Tyres Ltd., which focuses on developing better tires for electric vehicles, has put out a challenge to the mainstream tire makers.

During Transport Day at COP28—the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai—Enso said it will lead the way in phasing out fossil fuels in the industry by decarbonizing its entire supply chain by 2030, two decades ahead of the 2050 target most of the major tire manufacturers are aiming for.

"We all know that Earth is facing a climate crisis," Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, Enso founder and CEO, said during a BloombergNEF panel at COP28 titled "Zero-Emission Vehicles: Unlocking the Next Phase of Growth."

"The science is clear and Enso's mission is clear," Erlendsson said. "We are committed to decarbonizing our entire supply chain by 2030. We call on the tire industry and our partners to rise to this challenge. If we can do it, so can you. Equally, we call upon all our global and industry leaders at COP28 to show courage here in Dubai and agree to phase out fossil fuels."

Enso was a finalist in the "Clean Our Air" category of this year's Earthshot Prize, the annual environmental award established by Prince William, for its efforts to reduce pollution from tires. The tire firm strives to make tires for EVs that extend the range of the vehicle and also reduce tire pollution, which it said is a major source of air pollution and microplastic pollution.

And at the COP28 on Dec. 6, Enso said it will switch entirely to renewable, recyclable, bio-based and low-carbon raw materials, to phase out all fossil fuel-based materials from its products by 2030.

In addition to its commitment to decarbonize its EV tires, Enso said it plans to manufacture its tires at a new, carbon-neutral factory, "to produce safer, more durable, more energy efficient and more affordable tires, with 100-percent renewable energy."

Enso didn't provide further details on plans for the new tire facility.

Despite increasing awareness of the impact of tires on carbon emissions, air pollution and ocean microplastic pollution, Enso said in a news release the tire industry is not addressing these problems quickly enough. It added that existing industry targets to reach decarbonization by 2050 are not accompanied by transparent plans that will reduce CO2 or particulate matter emissions at the pace required.

"Any industry that deploys road-based transport anywhere in its supply chain now has a clear responsibility to acknowledge and tackle the carbon footprint of their extensive operations," said Erlendsson, who founded Enso in 2016. "Unless the entire tire industry rapidly also accelerates its decarbonization efforts, it will be lagging in the drive towards a more sustainable future."