Goodyear Reinvents The Tire Specially For Tesla Cars And Other EVs
The tiremakers at Goodyear have just announced a new tire specially optimized for electric vehicles—Teslas, in particular. Named the ‘ElectricDrive GT’, they are suitable for the heavier weight EVs have compared to regular cars, attributed to batteries.
With an asymmetric tread pattern and a specialized tread compound, the tires are suitable for all seasons and ensure that drivers enjoy “confident handling” in both wet and dry conditions.
“Electric vehicles present a very specific set of requirements for load, torque, noise, range, rolling resistance and overall performance,” explains David Reese, Goodyear’s VP of Product Development. “We’re proud to deliver leading technologies to serve the evolving EV landscape.”
These ElectricDrive GT tires also feature the firm’s ‘SoundComfort’ Technology, which MotorTrend states is a sound-deadening material that’s incorporated inside the tire. This is said to be a “built-in sound barrier” that will help to reduce road noise.
While it’s a good thing that EVs are quieter than their gas and diesel counterparts, it also means that users are more susceptible to road noise since there isn’t anything else to block it out. With SoundComfort, this won’t be so much of an annoyance.
“With the continued growth in the EV segment, Goodyear recognized an opportunity to provide consumers with a tire designed for the unique needs of these vehicles,” states Andrew Lau, product marketing manager, in the news release.
“We know drivers are looking for a replacement tire that delivers enhanced tread wear without sacrificing performance. The ElectricDrive GT was designed with that in mind.”
The ElectricDrive GT, when it comes to the US in 2022, will be first available in just one size: 255/45-19. This will make it compatible with Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, which Electrek states are the most popular EVs in the US right now.
