Bridgestone and Lightyear combine forces for the world’s first long-range solar electric powered car

Nashville, TN – Bridgestone has announced an exclusive partnership with Netherlands-based mobility innovator Lightyear. Bridgestone has engineered tires specifically for Lightyear One, the world’s first long-range solar electric vehicle, which will be commercially available in Europe by the end of 2021.

Recent research from Bridgestone has shown that 50 percent of European drivers consider acquiring a fully electric vehicle, and yet 37 percent are still skeptical about doing so due to concerns around efficiency and limited range.

Lightyear One addresses these concerns head on by offering an unprecedented range of 450 miles (725 kilometers), while being up to three times more energy-efficient versus alternative electric vehicles currently on the market. The vehicle is charged directly by the sun through a large solar roof, minimizing CO₂ emissions and the charging needs of the user while maximizing efficiency.

To ensure the vehicle’s highest efficiency, Lightyear sought a tire that offered very low rolling resistance and reduced weight to preserve battery life, maximize vehicle range, and reduce environmental impact. Bridgestone developed custom-engineered Turanza Eco tires for Lightyear One, combining its revolutionary lightweight ENLITEN and ologic™ technologies for the very first time. 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.

The very low rolling resistance of the tires also means Lightyear One can benefit from a lighter battery. As a result, the Turanza Eco tires are designed to boost range when compared to alternative Bridgestone EV-specific tires, equivalent to nearly 200 pounds

(90 kilogram) reduction in weight. In addition to helping Lightyear One travel further between charges, the tire’s silica dispersion has been improved by applying a new mixing technology with approximately a 10% overall reduction in the tire’s weight per vehicle, without any compromise on wear mileage and grip.

For the first time, the Turanza Eco tires will bear the new Bridgestone EV marking on the sidewalls. The Bridgestone EV marking is applied to tires that are tailor-made for electric vehicles and indicates the tires underwent a rigorous testing process to receive approval from car manufacturers. As a result, these tires support the unique features of electric vehicles and meet the car manufacturer’s requirements for battery range, vehicle control and tire wear life.

Bridgestone also utilized its Virtual Tire Development technology which enables accurate modelling of a tire’s performance without having to physically produce and test it, saving up to 25,000 miles (40,000 kilometers) in real-life outdoor and fleet testing. It can also cut product development time by up to 50 percent.

The foundation for Lightyear One was laid during the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a 1,900 mile (3,000 kilometer) race across the Australian Outback that pushes the limits of technological innovation and solar-powered mobility. With this in mind, Bridgestone has been collaborating with Eindhoven Technical University and the people behind Lightyear for eight years. Solar Team Eindhoven, the birth ground of Lightyear, won the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge’s Cruiser Cup four consecutive times, from 2013-2019.

Emilio Tiberio, COO & CTO of Bridgestone EMIA, explains: “Lightyear has impressed us with their approach to sustainable mobility ever since we saw the team take on the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and we’re excited to play a part in the Lightyear One project. Bridgestone is committed to a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and 100% sustainable materials by 2050 and strategic partnerships are fundamental to achieving these goals.”

Lex Hoefsloot, CEO of Lightyear, adds: “We’re particularly happy to see this collaboration between Bridgestone and Lightyear, with two companies that share a vision for future sustainable mobility coming together. The world is already experiencing unprecedented change and challenges, and through innovation and cutting-edge technologies we can work together to grasp the opportunities head on and create a more sustainable world.”