Tire manufacturer Goodyear revealed its new EfficientGrip Performance tire with Electric Drive Technology at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show. The tire is a prototype design geared toward electric vehicles.

According to a March 6 press release, the EfficientGrip Performance prototype incorporates an innovative tread design for extended mileage. Goodyear research has found that the powerful instant torque and heavier weight of electric vehicles results in increased tire wear of up to 30 percent compared to conventional vehicles. The new tread design allows for a larger contact area, making the tire more resilient under high-torque situations.

Source: GoodyearGoodyear optimized the tire’s cavity shape to support the heavier weight of EV batteries. The company also tuned the tread compound’s material properties for ultra-low rolling resistance, extending the vehicle range while coping with high levels of torque. Goodyear designed the sidewall to reduce aerodynamic drag and the profile yields less rotating mass, resulting in reduced energy consumption.

“The combination of increasing regulations to reduce emissions, the desire to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and rapid gains in battery technology is creating an ideal environment for electric vehicles,” said Chris Delaney, president of Goodyear Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“We are working with automakers to introduce our Electric Drive Technology next year designed to address the unique performance requirements of this growing vehicle segment.”