Last-mile delivery is exactly what it sounds like: it’s the last step between a local distribution hub and a package’s final destination. To help streamline this critical process and maximize efficiency, Goodyear recently developed a tire specifically geared toward last-mile delivery electric vehicle fleets.
The new tire was showcased at the 2022 Technology and Maintenance Council hosted in Orlando, Florida. Known as the “Electric Drive Ready” Endurance RSA ULT, the tire is built to handle the higher load capacity of electric vehicles in the last-mile delivery sector. The 17.5-inch tire is compatible not only with EVs, but also with gasoline- and diesel-powered commercial vehicles.
The Endurance RSA ULT tire features advanced technologies to increase its durability, traction, and lifespan. This includes IntelliMax Rib Technology that stiffens tire tread, new tread geometry applied to grooves, and a deep zigzag tread pattern to decrease stone retention in urban environments. The tires are rated for mud and snow applications.
“As electrification shapes the future of the trucking industry and the last-mile delivery market accelerates at a rapid pace, we’re relentlessly innovating as we develop new tires to help fleets meet evolving expectations,” said Jessica Julian, product marketing manager at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. “The launch… of the EV-ready Endurance RSA underscores Goodyear’s commitment to offering specialized tires for every application so companies can find the right solution for their fleets.”
It’s possible that the new Endurance RSA ULT tires will be equipped on GM’s last-mile BrightDrop delivery fleet. Several companies have expressed interest in the innovative electric delivery vans, with 25,000 reservations having been placed for them so far. Back in December, the first BrightDrop EV600 vans were delivered to FedEx, harnessing GM’s Ultium battery technology and a pair of Ultium drive motors that provide an estimated 250 miles of driving range on a single charge.
With e-commerce shopping steadily on the rise, GM expects demand for urban last-mile delivery services to expand 78 percent by the end of the decade.
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