Lightyear and Bridgestone Verify Tyre for Lightyear One

Lightyear & Bridgestone Join Forces

Lightyear is constantly pushing the boundaries and development of clean mobility within the automotive industry as the world moves towards more sustainable energy sources. They provides electric vehicles that can be scalable for everyone no matter the location. This will help speed up the sustainability transition and generate a positive effect. The Lightyear technology redefines performance with what really matters, efficiency. Lightyear and Bridgestone both have a passion for sustainability and efficiency.

Lightyear created the world’s first long-range solar electric vehicle. The most crucial element of this vehicle is the tyre, this needs to be comfortable, safe, and efficient. So, of course Bridgestone and Lightyear have teamed up to design and develop a unique tyre that can support the same clean mobility that both the automotive brands stand for. They want to create a tyre that is both efficient and sustainable. Lightyear headed over to Bridgestone’s testing ground in Italy to test the Turanza Eco tyres which have ENLITEN technology. They wanted to see how they would perform and respond on the Lightyear One vehicles.

ENLITEN Technology

The ENLITEN technology helps to reduce the aerodynamic drag, has a low rolling resistance and is lightweight. Tests were conducted over three tyres from the ENLITEN and Ologic ranges. Each tyre was individually tested for rolling noise, steering behaviour, comfort, straight running and lane change. These tests were performed by both a Bridgestone driver and a lightyear driver. Once concluded, the Lightyear engineers chose the tyre that offered the best handling, steering, control and strength. Now the tests are complete at Bridgestone, they are moving ahead with industrialisation. The tyres are being made at Bridgestone’s plants and will be fitted to the Lightyear One vehicle. The tyres will touch ground in late 2022.

“When it comes to a good tyre, it’s all about balance. For our tyres, what we gain in handling and steering performance far outweighs what we would obtain from going with a more comfortable tyre.”

— Koen Broeksteeg, Lead Engineer Vehicle Dynamics, Lightyear

The collaboration has solidified a relationship between Lightyear and Bridgestone that has been in development for many years. Together they move steps closer to delivering on the promise for a tyre with superior range, efficiency, and sustainability. Both companies consider this announcement a world premiere and massive steps towards electric vehicles becoming accessible for the many. With the joint passion for sustainability and efficiency this partnership will be one to watch.

Check out the full video here Lightyear One — Tyre Testing with Bridgestone – YouTube