Goodyear Develops Tires with self-regenerating Tread for Electric Cars

Goodyear has developed what it calls tires with self-generating tread for electric cars. The tire manufacturer recently unveiled the design for these ultra-durable tires that it says are made from biodegradable materials. According to Goodyear, these tires not only can “self-regenerate”, but they can also adapt to changing road conditions, and will thus help those who use electric cars to reduce both their carbon footprint and their maintenance costs.

Called the ‘reCharge’ concept tire, the new tire is derived from sustainable, biological material and drivers can “recharge” the tread by using customizable liquid capsules. Use of these capsules would make it possible for these tires to regenerate as well as to adapt over time to different road and weather conditions.

The low maintenance design is expected to transform the process of repairing punctures and replacing tires and make it a lot simpler. The compound material in the liquid capsules can be customized to cater to the needs of a particular car or driver based on driving data that is obtained through the use of artificial intelligence technology. The replacement tread solution can be stored in replaceable canisters within the wheel hub.

Goodyear said that the material used for the tire is extremely durable and 100 per cent biodegradable, with the tire compound being made from a biological material that is reinforced with fibers inspired by one of the toughest natural materials in the world – spider silk.The renewable materials used include dandelion rubber and synthetic spider silk. This is a more environment friendly option when compared to the carbon black and silica that are conventionally used.

Sebastien Fontaine, lead designer at Goodyear’s Innovation Centre in Luxembourg, said the goal was to design a tire specially for electric vehicles.

“The Goodyear reCharge is a concept tire without compromise, supporting personalized, sustainable and hassle-free electric mobility,” he said.

Goodyear has also designed the tires for Lexus’s new fully electric, autonomous car concept – the LF-30 Electrified. These tires were specially designed to boost battery range by reducing drag and to enhance the cooling of electric vehicle motors behind each wheel.

Mike Rytokoski, vice president and chief marketing officer for Goodyear Europe said that the partnership with Lexus highlighted the critical role tires can play in shaping the future of electric mobility.