Tyre maker Goodyear has introduced two ground breaking tyre concepts at Geneva Motor Show, which the company believes have the potential to change future vehicle technology.

The BHO3 concept is a tyre that can charge vehicle batteries and could offer a solution to the range anxiety problems that currently deter electric car buyers. The tyre generates electricity through the action of materials in the compound that capture and transform the energy created by heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions. These thermo-piezoelectric materials would also absorb solar energy while the car is parked.

The second concept, called the “Triple Tube” is a tyre that contains three tubes that adjust tyre inflation pressure in response to changing road conditions. Goodyear says this can deliver new levels of performance and versatility. Tubes are located beneath the tread and near the inboard and outboard shoulders of the tyre. The design utilises an internal pump that moves air from the main air chamber to the three individual air chambers. The tyre automatically adjusts to three different positions based on road conditions. These are; the Eco/Safety position, with maximum inflation in all three tubes to offer reduced rolling resistance, the Sport position, with reduced inflation within the inboard shoulder tube to give drivers dry handling through an optimized contact patch and the Wet Traction position, with maximized inflation in the centre tube to provide high aquaplaning resistance through a raised tread in the middle of the tyre.

At present these are future concepts but clearly demonstrate the forward thinking mindset of the Goodyear research and development teams.