Skip to main content

Tyres ‘could charge EV batteries’

Unveiled at the recent Geneva Motor Show, two concept tyres by Goodyear could radically change the role of car tyres in the future according to the company. The first concept, named BHO3, offers the possibility of charging the batteries of electric cars by transforming the heat generated by the rolling tyre into electrical energy. The second concept, Triple Tub, contains three tubes that adjust tyre inflation pressure in response to changing road conditions, delivering new levels of performance and versatil
March 11, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Unveiled at the recent Geneva Motor Show, two concept tyres by 843 Goodyear could radically change the role of car tyres in the future according to the company.

The first concept, named BHO3, offers the possibility of charging the batteries of electric cars by transforming the heat generated by the rolling tyre into electrical energy. The second concept, Triple Tub, contains three tubes that adjust tyre inflation pressure in response to changing road conditions, delivering new levels of performance and versatility.

The BHO3 tyre generates electricity through the action of materials in the tyre that capture and transform the energy created by heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions. The materials used would optimise the tire’s electricity generation capabilities as well as its rolling resistance.

As demand for electric cars grows, Goodyear says this technology has the potential to significantly contribute to the solution of future mobility challenges and could eliminate the vehicle-range anxiety motorists may have with electric cars.

Triple Tube features three internal tubes located beneath the tread and near the inboard and outboard shoulders of the tyre as well as the centre. The tyre relies on an internal pump that moves air from the main air chamber to the three individual air chambers, or tubes. The tyre automatically adjusts, on its own, to three different positions based on road conditions.

“These concept tyres re-imagine the role that tires may play in the future,” said Joe Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer. “We envision a future in which our products become more integrated with the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and more versatile.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Wireless traffic data in real time
    January 31, 2012
    The effect of moving objects on the electromagnetic landscape set up by cellular telephony networks can be detected and interpreted to give real-time traffic data across large geographical areas at low cost. Here, we revisit the Celldar concept. Global economic downturn has pushed public-sector agencies, transport administrations among them, to push even harder for cost efficiencies. Unfortunately, when it comes to transport safety and efficiency the public sector often has to work up to a cost rather than
  • Hyundai Heavy & Magna E-Car Systems to develop lithium-ion battery
    April 19, 2012
    Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), and Magna E-Car Systems (Magna E-Car), a supplier of components and systems for hybrid and electric vehicles, have announced a joint venture named Mahy E-Cell as a platform to co-develop and grow a successful battery cell and battery pack business. Under the agreement, HHI and Magna E-Car will jointly conduct engineering, design, development and testing activities with the goal of preliminary validation of battery cell and battery pack technologies for electric and hybrid ele
  • Jenoptik mulls road user charging post-Covid
    October 8, 2020
    The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the transport sector showed a significant reduction of traffic, greenhouse emissions and air pollution all over the world. However, as the economy recovers, traffic, emissions and air pollution are expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels or may become even worse.
  • Over nine million hybrid cars will be made in 2027 - each with a range extender
    June 6, 2017
    Research firm IDTechEx believes we are in the decade of the hybrid electric vehicle, despite the fact that most off-road, electric two-wheelers and underwater vehicles are pure electric. Indeed, most electric aircraft are pure electric as well.