Bridgestone teams up with Fisker for development of all-electric SUV

Bridgestone has partnered with EV firm Fisker Inc. for the development of the Fisker Ocean all-electric SUV.

The Fisker Ocean will make its global debut at the upcoming 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, with production starting in November next year.

With the aim of creating the most sustainable electric SUV,  Fisker Ocean will sit on custom-developed Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires for vehicles sold in Europe and select models sold in North America. The bespoke Potenza Sport tires focus on ride comfort and handling stability, and are engineered for low rolling resistance, which conserves the Fisker Ocean’s battery energy by ensuring that less power is required to move the vehicle’s tires.

The electric SUV will also feature a wide range of recycled materials, including a fully vegan interior, and will come with an optional photovoltaic solar roof.

The custom-engineered tire marks one of the first times Bridgestone Potenza Sport – the company’s premium ultra-high-performance sports tire – has been combined with its revolutionary, sustainable ENLITEN Technology. On average, ENLITEN Technology reduces the rolling resistance of a tire by up to 30% and its weight by up to 20% which equates to up to 2kg fewer raw material resources required to produce every tire.

Bridgestone will also supply custom-designed Alenza Sport all season tires for Fisker Ocean models sold in North America. The Alenza Sport tires are engineered with a next-generation compound that provides enhanced dry braking, wet handling and improved rolling resistance capabilities.

Laurent Dartoux, president and CEO of Bridgestone EMIA, said: “At Bridgestone, we see EVs as a huge opportunity to help achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and make mobility more environmentally sustainable.

“But there are still many barriers to overcome before a fully electric future can be realized, and Fisker – like Bridgestone – is working to break those barriers down. Not only making EVs more accessible, Fisker is built from the ground up with a strong sustainability agenda that we wholeheartedly support. It’s brilliant to unite our shared ambitions and work together to achieve them.”

Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker, added: “We are thrilled to work with Bridgestone, a global leader in tires and sustainable mobility, who shares our values and designed premium tires that are the perfect match for the Fisker Ocean.

“We have the ambition to make the most sustainable SUV featuring class-leading ride, handling, and range, and Bridgestone will play a key role in achieving this goal. We look forward to continuing to work closely together, collaborating on performance engineering and the technical development of the tires.”