Bridgestone announced the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, one of the world’s most well-known solar car events, will take place in Australia from October 8-15, 2017 (local time). Bridgestone is the title sponsor of this event, which brings together the greatest minds from around the world to challenge electric vehicle norms and travel the outback in a vehicle powered only by the power of the sun.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of this event, which brings together university students and young engineers from 21 countries to participate in the race, encompassing about 3,000 km (1864 miles) on the Australian continent.

The race consists of three classes: Challenger Class, which is a contest of speed; Cruiser Class, which is a competition of vehicles’ energy efficiency and practicality; and Adventure Class, which is a non-competitive class open to various types of vehicles. A total of 42 teams from 21 countries are scheduled to compete. For the race, Bridgestone will supply fuel-efficient “ECOPIA with ologic” tires for solar cars to 21 of the 40 teams competing in the Challenger Class and Cruiser Class races.

Bridgestone is committed to continually working toward a sustainable society to help ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations. Through events like the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, Bridgestone is helping expand educational opportunities to support young engineers who will drive the development of technologies to help realize a sustainable society.

"ECOPIA with ologic" tires for solar cars

"ologic" is Bridgestone's fuel-efficient tire technology with a narrow tread and a larger diameter of the tire, which realizes high levels of fuel efficiency and safety. Bridgestone will supply fuel-efficient "ECOPIA with ologic," tires, which is based on the "ologic" concept for solar cars to 21 teams participating in the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Tagged: world solar challenge

2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge kicks off on October 8