Goodyear introduces future technology tyres, reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions

Goodyear provides first glimpse of future technology â€" potential to reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and enhance safe driving


World Premiere displayed at Geneva International Motor Show, March 8-18, 2012

The days of checking tyre pressure could be a thing of the past thanks to an innovation from Goodyear, which will be publicly demonstrated for the first time at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show.

Goodyear's Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) has been under development in laboratories over the past two years. Visitors to the Geneva International Motor Show will see how tyres can remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for any external pumps, electronics or driver intervention leading to a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

AMT will help ensure the optimum tyre pressure is maintained and as a result could mean substantial savings at the fuel pump with underinflated tyres resulting in between a 2.5 percent and 3.3 percent decrease in fuel economy, according to government and industry research1.

Research conducted by Goodyear shows that consumers are unconcerned about their tyre pressure, with half of those surveyed not knowing when to check their tyre pressure2 and one in three motorists admitting they would not be very likely to check their tyre pressure even before embarking on a long trip3.

For a typical new passenger car, properly inflated tyres through AMT could save the driver each year around 57 liters of fuel. Communities would also benefit from a significant reduction of CO2 emissions4.

Properly inflated tyres are also necessary to keep the vehicle's handling performance at optimal levels, especially its cornering abilities. Under-inflation means less evenly distributed pressure on the road. It also reduces the tread area that is in direct contact with the road.

Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear senior vice president and chief technical officer explains: "Consumers often overlook the importance of maintaining proper tyre pressure. We believe this technology will enhance safe driving and performance; and have a positive impact on the environment through improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and extended tyre life. The progress we have made is very encouraging and we are now ready to demonstrate it in Geneva for the first time."

Last year The United States Department of Energy's Office of Vehicle Technology awarded a US$1.5 million grant for research, development and demonstration of the AMT system for commercial truck tyres conducted at Goodyear's Innovation Center in Akron, Ohio. Goodyear also successfully received a grant from the Luxemburg government for research and development of an AMT system for consumer tyres.  That work has been conducted at Goodyear's Innovation Center in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg.

It is too early in the innovation process to predict when AMT will come to market but the company has confirmed that the grants provided by the US and Luxembourgish governments will certainly speed up development..