By: Mr Ryota Kawai,
General Manager of Consumer Tire Development & Tire Testing Department
Bridgestone Asia Pacific Technical Centre Co, Ltd
Tyre designs have long been fundamental to the driving characteristics of an individual and thefunctionality of a tyre. The sipes, grooves and blocks are somekey determinants to the performance of a car and are vital in keeping passengers safe, especially during rainy days.
The ECOPIA range, however are made of unique compounds and rubber produced in India. Most importantly, it uniforms ground contact upon braking, and enhances the brakes even during wet weather conditions.The series serve to enhance the value propositions based on the following factors:
- Saving fuel without compromising on the tyre’s performance and durability
- Striving for environmental-friendliness with low CO2 emissions for the planet and for the future generations
With up to 80 litres of fuel savings each year, the ECOPIA 150 makes for a cost effective choice for drivers as well. The Ecopia range of tyres are manufactured in Bridgestone’s Pune and Indore plants and provide lower rolling resistance and in turn, command lower emissions. This falls in tandem with India’s “Make in India” campaign that helps contribute to the growth of the automobile components sector by encouraging locals to play a significant part in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
In early October 2015, Bridgestone launched two outstanding fuel-efficient tyres – the ECOPIA EP150 and EP850 that championboth form and factor:
- Advanced low-rolling resistance and eco saving benefits – EP850
Bridgestone’s first ever ECOPIA tyre combines the popular performance of highway luxury/highway touring category of tyres and boasts environmentally-friendly features. The perfect match for on-road SUVs in the region, the EP850 enjoys improved fuel efficiency with its lowered rolling resistance. The design of the tyre incorporates short and narrow slots to help reduce noise level that boosts comfort for the user. And through its optimized three-dimensional block shape, it enables the block edge to avoid getting lifted up easily
- Delivering excellent fuel economy & low noise – EP150
The EP150 is highly suitable for small and mid-sized sedans, and features a brand new tread design with rib-linked blocks. The blocks enable enhanced stopping power in wet weather conditions and this is due to its uniformed ground contact upon braking. Similar to the EP850’s three-dimensional block shape, the EP150 minimizes block lift-off, providing users greater safety and a better peace of mind. And with the tyre’s ECOPIA compound with weight optimization, both advanced low-rolling resistance and eco-saving benefits are achieved and do not compromise the safety and wear life of the tyre.
Primed for eco-friendliness
The tyres both encapsulate Bridgestone’s national mission for a Green India, to achieve enhanced CO2 sequestration, improving the ecosystem and provide a sustainable environment for future generations. Based on the company’s mission – Serving society with superior quality, the organization remains highly committed to sustaining the environment through leveraging suitable technology, recycling materials and urban waste, formulating long term transportation plans for the community. Through developing and adopting newand innovative technologies that contribute to fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness, Bridgestone hopes to create asustainable environment for the future andto continually improve natural resource conservation through operational improvements and product design.