The feat is thought to be the longest journey achieved by these electric vehicles in such a short period of time and was completed on Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres, size 205/55R16 91V. The “Oranje Trophy” journey started on 14 June in Amsterdam and took the travelling sports fans’ motorcade of 30 vehicles through Poland and the Ukraine, where they stopped to support the Netherlands footballers in Euro 2012. They then drove through Russia to the North Cape in Finland before heading back through Norway, Sweden and Denmark to finish in London on 26 July, in time for the opening of the Olympic Games.
“Road and weather conditions varied widely over the journey as you can imagine, but the Ecopia tyres were perfect in wet and dry. Their low rolling resistance helped us maximize the distance we travelled between recharges” says LEAF driver, Kevin Kooijman.
The Nissan LEAF cars used DBT CEV fast charging technology on the route, supplied via a portable truck-mounted system. This technology allows electric vehicles to recharge up to 80% of their batteries in less than 30 minutes, enabling the LEAFS to travel distances of 120 to 130 km per charge and up to 600 km a day.
In 2010, Nissan selected Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres as original equipment for the LEAF, the world’s first 100% electric mass-produced car, voted European Car of the Year 2011.
Ecopia is Bridgestone’s line of eco-friendly tyres, specially developed to provide low rolling resistance without compromising overall tyre performance, including wet safety. Ecopia EP150 achieves reductions in rolling resistance through Bridgestone’s proprietary NanoPro-Tech™ compound technology. Reductions in rolling resistance lead to greater fuel efficiency, and in the case of electric vehicles, more economical use of battery power.
“Bridgestone is proud to have been part of this achievement. It shows the viability of electric vehicles for longer journeys as well as city travel, and the compatibility of Bridgestone Ecopia tyres with electric vehicles” says Gert Meylemans, Senior Manager European Communications Office, Bridgestone Europe.
About Bridgestone Europe
Bridgestone Europe (BSEU), with European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, is a key regional subsidiary of Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of tyres and other rubber products. Bridgestone Europe operates an R&D center, 8 plants and offices in more than 30 European countries, with over 13,000 employees. BSEU’s premium tyres are sold both within Europe and globally.