November 24, 2019 |
2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge
Bridgestone Corporation supplied solar car tyres, using its fuel-efficient tyre technology, to the 32 teams participating in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), for which Bridgestone is the naming rights sponsors.
Held in Australia once every two years, the BWSC is the world’s foremost solar car race.
The solar car tyres “ECOPIA with ologic”, which were supplied to the teams competing in the race, are fuel-efficient tyres designed specifically for solar cars using fuel-efficient tyre technology from Bridgestone, “ologic.” “ECOPIA with ologic” tyres ensure the necessary durability while featuring reduced rolling resistance. Tyres using ologic technology are narrower than standard tyres with a wider diameter, making for a shape that realizes high levels of fuel efficiency and safety. The wider diameter limits changes in the shape of the contact patch to yield lower rolling resistance, which in turn improves fuel efficiency. In addition, the narrower shape reduces air resistance while driving.
This event partnership seamlessly aligned with the three priority areas of the Bridgestone global corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment, Our Way to Serve: mobility, people and environment. The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge embodies that philosophy with the purpose of contributing to the development of solar cars, supporting young engineers, and contributing to the environment, while using the new power source of solar light. The Bridgestone Group employs innovation and technology to improve the way people move, live, work, and play.
Solar Team Eindhoven from the Netherlands proved it's in a class of its own, claiming a fourth consecutive Cruiser Cup in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
The team's purpose built the fourth-generation solar electric car Stella Era, for the BWSC. It Performed both on the road and on the judging floor.. Overall second place went to Australia’s Sunswift in Violet and third place went to Hong Kong’s team IVE in Sophie 6.
To win the Cruiser Cup, solar electric cars had to complete the journey from Darwin to Adelaide within time windows and as energy efficiently as possible. Out of 13 Cruisers, just three completed the Challenge within the time frame. Going into the second phase of judging, Eindhoven led on 111.7 points, followed by Australia’s Sunswift on 56.1 and Hong Kong’s Team IVE Engineering Solar Car Team on 44.2.
The teams presented to 12 adjudicators, including industry leaders from Tesla, Suntrix and Prohelion, past BWSC faculty and alumni, international Solar Challenge organisers from Chile, South Africa and the US, and media representatives.
Source : https://www.bridgestone.com/corporate/news/2019092701.html
