Bridgestone had to meet exacting standards when Audi turned to it to supply tyres for its new e-tron SUV, the company’s first ever all-ever electric car.

It has selected six different tyres from 19 to 21 inches which had to be a perfect match for the e-tron’s vast torque and fast acceleration (0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds), which is typical of premium electric cars. At the same time the tyres also needed as little rolling resistance as possible, and finally they had to be extremely quiet so that passengers can enjoy the hushed travel, another key feature of EVs (electric vehicles).

Bridgestone is supplying four sizes of summer tyres and two for winter conditions.

It has selected its Alenza 001 summer tyres which are specially designed for SUVs and its Blizzak LM 001 for winter conditions. Regarding low rolling resistance and making the most of the energy in the Audi’s batteries so it has as big a range as possible on a single charge – and Audi claims the e-tron should be capable of around 250 miles – Bridgestone has achieved A ratings in the EU label guide.

Finally, Audi wanted to emphasise how quiet EVs are. As well as the near-silent motor, they added sound proofing, double glazed windows and special seals allowing occupants to ‘hear’ the silence of the engine. Fitting this brief, Bridgestone used its proprietary B-Silent technology as a further layer of noise reduction; the hollow spaces within the tyre are filled to reduce echo and the sidewalls and structure are reinforced to minimise vibration and reverberation from the movement of the tyres on the road surface.

Mark Tejedor, Vice President of Original Equipment at Bridgestone EMEA, said: “We are pleased to have been chosen by Audi to provide tyres as original equipment for their first-ever fully electric vehicle. Audi has created a vehicle that is innovative, environmentally friendly and offers incredible driving comfort. It is only logical that it is being paired with Bridgestone tyres which offer the same characteristics. In an industry in rapid transformation where vehicles are becoming more and more CASE – connected, autonomous, shared and electric – Bridgestone delivers new solutions and technologies answering car manufacturer’s most demanding challenges thanks notably to our industry’s leading investments in R&D.”