MotoE is not only a racing series for electric motorcycles, it also serves as a proving ground for sustainable energy solutions in various fields. Michelin is using the series to produce and test sustainable tires. By 2050, tires are to be produced from 100% sustainable materials.
Share of sustainable materials increased
Even before the 2021 season, Michelin announced that the tires for MotoE would be made of 33% (front) and 40% (rear) renewable materials. For 2022, they were able to increase the percentage of the rear tire to 46%.
Natural rubber, recycled used tires, but also orange and lemon peels, pine resin, sunflower oil and steel scrap are used.
Complete product range should benefit
Testing is currently underway in MotoE, but Michelin aims to realize a 40% share of sustainable materials in its entire product range by 2030. By 2050, the company is aiming for 100%.
“Although ambitious, this objective remains no less realistic for Michelin. The MotoE tires are a new illustration of this,” mentioned Michelin Director of technical and scientific communications Cyrille Roget. “It is mainly in integrating more natural rubber and recycled carbon black in the tires that we have been able to make progress.”
“With the MotoE tires, we are also proving that we are capable of doing what we say,” added Roget. “At Michelin, respecting facts is a core part of our values. This is what makes us stand out, and gives us another good reason to believe that we will overcome the challenge of 100% sustainable tires by 2050.”
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