Revolutionary Tyres for an Evolutionary Car

Set to become the first road legal solar sports car in Australia, as well as being the world’s fastest electric vehicle over 500km, it’s fair to say that Sunswift eVe is a solar technology pioneer.

It’s only fitting then that a car leading the evolution of solar transport runs on tyres which are equally ground-breaking and also paving the way towards a more sustainable future.

Sunswift eVe, built by the solar racing team from the University of New South Wales, will compete in the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge on specially developed Bridgestone tyres – incorporating the same technology used in tyres currently fitted to the BMWi3.

“We are very pleased to be supplying the Sunswift team with our custom-designed and hand produced Bridgestone Ecopia with ologic technology tyres,” said Andrew Moffatt, Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand’s Managing Director.

“The tyres feature the same technology incorporated in the tyres Bridgestone currently supplies to BMW for their i3 electric vehicle as part of an exclusive supply arrangement – so they’re certainly serious tyres for a serious challenge.”

“We wish eVe all the best for this year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge and are sure they will yet again prove just how far solar technology has come.” 

In addition to being the title sponsor for the 2015 event, Bridgestone is supplying tyres to 19 of the teams participating in the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

The Bridgestone Ecopia with ologic technology tyres have been designed to reduce rolling resistance and improve aerodynamics through two key features – a large diameter and a narrow tread pattern. 

Sunswift eVe Project Manager Hayden Smith said the team had recently pushed the car to its limits as part of testing in the lead up to the event start on October 18.

“The tyres held up really well as part of the testing and we certainly saw some improvements in terms of handling and cornering,” Hayden said.

“All of the teams participating in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge are looking for a competitive edge, and tyres are a great way to achieve efficiencies because of the benefits you can gain through rolling resistance.”

“We’re really pleased to have Bridgestone on board as one of our major sponsors and we’re looking forward to hitting the road for this year’s event.”

Bridgestone Australia’s support of the World Solar Challenge event is strongly aligned with the company’s Tomorrow Matters initiative, which is aimed at finding new and better ways of using technology; encouraging young people to find solutions for tomorrow; and helping to ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations.