Chevrolet Volt to get Goodyear Fuel Max tyres as OE

ERJ staff report (TB)

Chicago -- The new Chevrolet Volt -- an electric-powered passenger car -- is to use low rolling resisistance tyres from Goodyear as original equipment from its launch in 2010. These tyres are part of a new announcement from Goodyear.

Goodyear is using the 'Fuel Max' terminology for the tyres taken from its Assurance range of products. Fuel Max has up to now been used exclusively in the company's truck sector, along with AirMax and KMax. Airmax represents tyres with larger air volumes -- and hence greater load carrying capacity -- than standard. KMax represents tyres that are suited to regional haul applications.

Chevrolet's Volt car will be launched in 2010. It is powered exclusively by an electric drive train, but has an additional generator powered by more conventional fuels which can be used to re-charge the battery. The extra generator only kicks in after the vehicle has driven 60km, so minimising the consumption of fuel on short journeys. The batteries are re-charged from mains power when the driver returns home.

The Volt has been designed for minimum energy consumption. it is aerodynamically shaped and uses a low-friction drive train, including energy saving tyres.

The tyres, said Goodyear, provide 27 percent less rolling resistance, which equates to a 4 percent improvement in highway fuel economy than the standard Assurance tyre in P195/65R15 size and fitted to a 2008 Honda Civic. Goodyear said, "A key element is a fuel-saving tread compound that helps reduce energy loss as the tyre rolls, so less effort is required to keep the tyre rolling. This proprietary tread compound helps reduce energy loss as the tyre rotates."

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Press release on Goodyear deal from GM

Press release from Goodyear

Press release on the Volt from Chevrolet