In helping drive the move toward a greener future, Global Air Cylinder Wheels', (https://globalaircylinderwheels.com/ ), innovative wheel technology, Air Suspension Wheel (ASW), can extend the range of electric vehicles by as much as 8-12 percent for Tesla and Nikola tractors and all trucking trailers.
(Photo : Conservaco/ The Ignite Agency)
Think of it as the wheel of the future meets the future of transportation.
Dr. Zoltan Kemeny, president and CEO of Global Air Cylinder Wheels®, explored the details and benefits of the ASW in his latest academic paper titled, "GACW offers Innovative Range Extending Air Suspension Wheel (ASW) for Tesla and NikolaTractors and for All Trucking Trailers."
You can read his paper here: https://www.academia.edu/88434811.
Manufactured mostly out of steel, the Air Suspension Wheel is eco-friendly, stronger, and safer than the highly pollutive traditional rubber tire and is up to 60% more economical over the lifetime of the wheel. The ASW combines an inner steel hub with an outer steel drum which is connected by eight or twelve nitrogen-filled air cylinders and up to six oil-filled dampers that provide suspension and damping. On the outer drum, individually bolt-on steel or polyurethane treads are fitted.
"Since the ASW is particularly beneficial to the tractors of the semi-trucks, Tesla and Nikola could benefit the most from its adaptation. No other wheel can save battery life and extend driving range," said Kemeny.
Governments in all major regions are implementing EV mandates and incentives to promote fewer carbon emissions and protect the environment. The U.S. has a goal of a 50% EV market share by 2030, while Europe has proposed an all-out ban on fossil fuel cars by 2035 as California and New York have done.
GACW's ASW technology can offer EVs lower rolling resistance leading to extended battery range.
Some companies, including Tesla, have hinted in recent years at possibly moving toward airless tires, but none has yet delivered on that promise.
GACW is seeking an OEM partner that can develop the ASW technology specifically for cars, buses, and trucks (semis).
A summary of the intriguing benefits of the ASW as highlighted in Kemeny's paper includes:
- Saves fuel or EV battery power (extends range) by 8-12%.
- Long-lasting airless mechanical safety wheel.
- No flat tires. No size limits. No speed limits.
- Cut, spike, riot, and sabotage resistant.
- Drives through fire, debris, and small explosives.
- Self-aligning, needs no tire rotation.
- Can be retrofitted, aftermarket, or OEM wheels.
- Replaces consumable tire rim with capital asset wheel.
- Replaceable polyurethane/rubber cast/pre-molded tread.
- Saves on drivetrain maintenance by 13-17%.
- 100% recyclable, environment-friendly.
- Reduces CO2 and NOx by 8-12% and eliminates the use of Black Carbon.
- Dual size (double-wide or super-single) ASW savings of 12-16% fuel will be possible.
The ASW technology has a strong patent portfolio with nine granted, and with 52 patents pending.
The ASW is durable and designed to have the same lifespan as the vehicle itself, (approximately 10-15 years), meaning fewer replacement costs and less time spent swapping out damaged tires. The ASW can become part of the vehicle and has the potential to become a capital asset. Unlike rubber tires, the ASW can be leased, with a 15% residual value after 10 years of service. They can also be refurbished and leased again.
Then there is the environmental impact of ASW. Old rubber tires are frequently buried or burned, releasing harmful chemicals and heavy metals into groundwater and air. Tires also end up in landfills wasting space or filling up with water, creating a breeding ground for disease-carrying pests such as mosquitoes.
Kemeny also stressed that the ASW considerably boosts trucking profit.
"For instance, a semi-truck consumes 14,300 gallons of fuel annually. Saving 11% of it saves 1,570 gallons of fuel and 16-ton CO2 annually. A fleet of 20,000 semi-trucks saves 31,400,000 gallons of fuel and 320,000-ton CO2 per year," he added. "The saved fuel at $5.5 a gallon amounts to $172,700,000 per year. Semi-trucks with ASW save 8 % fuel in the city and 12% on the highway, about 11% on average."
Annual cost reductions for a fleet of 20,000 trucks and 60,000 trailers using ASW may include:
- 11% fuel cost reduction ($160,500,000)
- 85% reduction of tire replacement and retreading cost ($70,300,000)
- 50% of cost related to breakdowns reduced ($80,200,000)
- 5% reduction in accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities (not estimated)
- 20% reduction in power train and shocks maintenance cost ($16,000,000)
- Up to 100% reduction in premature tire failure cost ($24,000,000)
- 100% rim replacement cost reduction ($20,000,000)
- Environment protection-related and regulatory costs reduction ($ 9,000,000)
- Cumulative total cost reduction of approximately ($360,000,000)
"Large purchase orders are expected to create our revenue streams," Kemeny said. "The ASW technology can be applied to all verticals where traditional rubber tires are used, and this market is immense. Our wheels are gaining the traction we need to thrust us into the main market. We are also looking to start developing other verticals next year."
He added that the other verticals could include construction, bicycles, aircraft, military, and any other vehicle with wheels.
Encouraged by the results of its previous $3.3 million crowdfunding campaign, the company has relaunched its StartEngine campaign --- https://www.startengine.com/gacw -- to further evolve its ASW technology. The independent investment research website KingsCrowd, (https://kingscrowd.com/gacw-on-startengine-2022/), recently recommended the GACW StartEngine investment as a top deal - its highest rating possible. The current StartEngine crowdfunding campaign, which ends later this month, has raised more than $496,000 to date.
The global OTR tire market is estimated to reach $30 billion in 2022. The overall global tire market is anticipated to reach $322 billion by 2022 with a projected CAGR of 8.4%.
Overall, the company has raised more than $5.5 million from investors so far and the company's valuation has increased from $27 million to $40 million since May 2022.
Other forms of expected revenue for GACW include:
● recurring revenue from tread replacement
● licensing and royalty agreements
● other applications such as cars, buses, trucks, military, bicycles, wheelchairs, and many
more
GACW has also created an experienced board of directors and formed a first-class advisory board.
The company has teamed up with experts in the field of suspension, steel manufacturing, cylinders, and treads, and features more than 200 years of combined engineering experience.
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