Bridgestone returns as World Solar Challenge title sponsor

The World Solar Challenge 2023 will take place in October and, following the biennial event’s cancellation two years ago, Bridgestone Corporation returns as title sponsor. Bridgestone views its sponsorship as one that aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

“Our continued support of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge amplifies three of our core focus areas in the Bridgestone E8 Commitment by delivering value to society, our customers and future generations in Energy, Ecology, and Efficiency,” says Koji Takagi, chief sustainability officer of Bridgestone EMIA. “All three of these focus areas are directly linked to our environmental targets – to achieve carbon neutrality and work with 100 per cent recycled and renewable materials by 2050, as well as advance sustainable tyre technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generations.”

Dedicated to a more sustainable future

Teams participating in the event compete in solar-powered vehicles they’ve designed and built, travelling more than 3,000 kilometres (1,860 miles) across the heart of Australia. This year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is divided into three classes, with the Challenger Class conducted in a single stage from Darwin to Adelaide, the Cruiser Class as three 1,200-kilometre stages without recharging and the Adventure Class being a non-competitive class which provides an opportunity for cars built for previous events.

As part of the sponsorship, Bridgestone EMIA is also supporting nine university teams in its region. These teams will compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, showcasing their cutting-edge designs and engineering solutions. The competition serves as a platform to inspire future generations of engineers and promote sustainability and environmental awareness. Bridgestone will equip the university teams with Bridgestone tyres that make use of technologies which can enhance the performance of their solar-powered vehicles, such as Enliten.

According to Bridgestone, involvement in the World Solar Challenge reflects the company’s “dedication to creating a more sustainable future” and its “commitment to supporting the development of new technologies that will help to reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation industry.”

“We are proud to support the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and to be a part of the effort to drive innovation in sustainable mobility,” Takagi continues. “Through our sponsorship, we aim to inspire and support the next generation of engineers and leaders, who will play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable mobility.”