Companies that make products for heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles and last-mile delivery trucks appear to be planning for an electric future. That may be why Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company recently launched its “Electric Drive Ready” Endurance RSA ULT tire and Fuel Max RSA ULT for regional haul applications.
“As electrification shapes the future of the trucking industry and the last-mile delivery market accelerates at a rapid pace, we’re relentlessly innovating as we develop new tires to help fleets meet evolving expectations,” Goodyear product marketing manager Jessica Julian reportedly said. “The launch of the fuel-saving Fuel Max RSA and EV-ready Endurance RSA underscores Goodyear’s commitment to offering specialized tires for every application, so companies can find the right solution for their fleets.”
The Endurance RSA ULT is a 17.5-inch, 215, 75R designed to handle loads for last-mile delivery vehicles, pickups, and light-duty trucks powered by battery-electric systems. With high durability and improved traction, the rubber can also be leveraged by light-duty diesel vehicles.
The “Electric Drive Ready” designation essentially means it can negotiate the high torque typically generated by EV axles. It may come as something of a surprise, but conventional tires wear out faster on EVs than gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. The household name tire manufacturer reportedly had transitional products on the drawing board for years. Now that seeming seismic shifts are occurring in the car and truck manufacturing landscape, Goodyear decided to stay ahead of the EV curve.
“The standard tire won’t cut it and won’t work with EVs,” Goodyear’s senior director for North American sales Cary Budzinski reportedly said. “Because for fleets, it’s all about cost per mile, and they need a tire to run a long, long time. The Endurance RSA is really the first of what I’m sure will be many in our portfolio specifically designed for electric vehicles.”
The Fuel Max RSA ULT, a 19.5-inch, 225 or 245, 70R, is reportedly designed for regional last-mile delivery vehicles. It blends balanced traction with fuel efficiency and could be well-suited for emergency-response EVs as well. That’s largely due to features that include improved rolling resistance, all-season viability, and an enhanced casing that may invite cost-effective retread ability.
In recent years, battery-electric semi-truck production has increased, and last-mile delivery trucks are quickly becoming the norm. As battery technology allows big rigs to make longer runs before refueling, CDL professionals can anticipate greater EV participation.
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