Now we have another car tire manufacturer who’s focusing on the EV industry: Goodyear. In a press release, the company announced its first EV-dedicated replacement tire in North America, the ElectricDrive GT. Why would EVs need special tires to begin with, you ask? Well, it all comes down to weight. Electric vehicles generally weigh more than conventional cars, which means they wear tires down much faster. Plus, worn tires will reduce the car’s range, so there’s a lot to win by preventing that from happening. In response to that, Goodyear has created its tire with an asymmetric tread pattern and specialized tread compound, which it claims provides an enhanced all-season traction in both wet and dry road conditions. The company has also focused on adding to the EVs’ noiseless value. The ElectricDrive GT features Goodyear’s SoundComfort Technology, which “acts as a built-in sound barrier that helps reduce road noise.” And while Michelin has already launched its Pilot Sport EV in various sizes in Europe and North America, Goodyear will initially offer its tire in size 255/45R19 104W XL, which it says fits to some of the most popular EV high-performance models. Plans to expand the ElectricDrive GT’s portofolio are underway for 2022.
What’s the takeaway?
Talking about tires isn’t really interesting, but what’s striking here is that we’re witnessing a shift to EVs not only by automakers, but also by other industries affiliated with the auto world. Check out the statement of Andrew Lau, Goodyear’s product marketing manager: Yes, folks, things are changing. The EV segment might still be a minority in selling and ownership numbers, but its increasing traction has nevertheless put it in the auto map as specific entity with individual needs and market requirements. Well, this makes me very hopeful about how soon we can embark on an electric future.
