Goodyear Low Rollers Featured on GM's Fuel-Cell Car

AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 21 -- High rollers won't be powering the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles envisioned by President Bush to revolutionize the auto industry.

They'll be low rollers -- as in low-rolling-resistant tires, according to Goodyear.

Complete with a tree leaf-inspired tread pattern, the Goodyear fuel- efficient concept tires look the part on General Motors' Autonomy fuel cell car.

The giant tiremaker said the 22-inch tires reduce rolling resistance -- power-robbing friction between the tire and road. The new E-metric tire (newly designated for use on electric or hybrid vehicles) operates at higher inflation pressures, reduced load percentages and lower rolling resistance.

To soften the ride of tires pumped with additional air, ``We developed a new tire profile,'' Bill Egan, chief engineer of advanced tire technology, said. ``A narrower rim width and rounder sidewalls make the tire more shock- absorbent.''

To make the tires roll more freely, low-rolling-resistant tread compounds were molded into smaller tread elements that flexed easily -- and with less friction -- when it touched the road, Egan said.

``The leaf pattern is effective on two fronts,'' he added. ``It helps the tread pattern flex and it visually sends the message that Autonomy is environmentally friendly.''

The Bush administration announced Freedom CAR, a new program to speed development of cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which would eventually replace internal combustion engines.

General Motors' 6-inch-thick, skateboard-like chassis for the Autonomy houses the fuel cell and electronic wires for all controls. The automaker said the chassis would last about 20 years.

The chassis could be fitted with a variety of bodies. A growing family could change from a sporty sedan to a larger sport-utility vehicle by switching the body, a cheaper alternative to buying a new vehicle, GM officials said.

Egan said tiremakers also could design tires for the changing needs of the family. A body switch might also include a tire change; however, engineering tires for low-rolling resistance would improve fuel-cell efficiency.