The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has introduced its newest electric vehicle (EV)-ready tire. The new Urban Max Bus Service All-Position (BSAEV) tire was designed in partnership with Gillig and is the first Goodyear tire engineered specifically with low rolling resistance for EV transit and Metro buses to help extend range and handle the increased load capacity.
The Urban Max BSAEV 315/80R22.5 offers an increased load capacity of 10,200 pounds – load range L – as a fitment option on select GILLIG battery-electric buses and for today's growing municipal EV fleets. The increased load capacity allows EV buses, like Gillig’s newest battery-electric, to be equipped with additional battery packs resulting in increased range.
"The development of this innovative product for Gillig’s battery-electric bus was forged from a long-standing partnership between two companies that are dedicated to driving smart, sustainable innovation in the transportation industry," said Tom Lippello, senior director, commercial marketing, Goodyear North America. "Our partnership with Gillig leveraged the talent and expertise of both companies to develop an incredibly tough tire that could drive the next generation of battery-electric buses. Goodyear is proud to bring the North America transit industry the first 10,200 pound load-carrying capacity bus tire to support the increased battery weight required for battery electric fleets."
"Gillig continues to set the standard of excellence for zero-emission transit in the United States, and we offer one of the longest-range capacities of any heavy-duty battery electric bus on the market. The new Urban Max BSAEV tire helps our zero-emission battery-electric bus meet the needs of all our customers across the country, no matter the terrain, climate or range requirements they face," said Ben Grunat, vice president of product planning & strategy, Gillig. "Gillig has long partnered with proven and innovative suppliers like Goodyear to ensure we can integrate the best and most innovative technology available while never compromising on the safety, quality or reliability Gillig buses are known for."
The new Urban Max BSAEV has a variety of features to help today's transit and Metro bus fleets, including:
- New tread design with deep siping to help maintain Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) traction.
- Enhanced 4-Belt Package delivers a high 10,200-pound load-caring capacity to help accommodate the increased weight of electric vehicle batteries.
- Innovative low-rolling resistance compound helps enhance energy efficiency, which aids in extending electric vehicle range.
- Meets GHG Phase 2 Compliance for metro buses and is available on select Gillig low floor battery-electric buses.
The Urban Max BSAEV is part of Goodyear's Total Mobility platform of trusted products, premier service network and complete tire management for customers.
