Bridgestone has given a glimpse into the future of mobility with its new e-Centre garage concept.

Bridgestone e-Centre Pioneer depots will represent a big departure from a conventional garage aesthetically

The concept is designed to revolutionise tyre retail and improve the customer experience by overhauling the design of retailers and adhering to best practices. These include solar panel installations, staff training on premium product performance & road safety initiatives and even hyper-local donation campaigns to support local communities.

The e-Centre concept was developed on the back of an extensive study with Ernst & Young while Bridgestone additionally conducted research with motorists that revealed almost a quarter (23%) would be more likely to visit a garage if it had proven sustainability credentials, such as renewable energy sources or effective adoption of EV practices.

The research evolved into an assessment spanning 85 different criteria, which retailers will be assessed on to enable them to achieve Bridgestone e-Centre status.

Four UK garages have become the first to sign up as ‘Pioneer’ pilot depots and have undergone the assessment process, as they work to achieve Bridgestone ‘e-Centre status’ or ‘e-Centre Pioneer Status’ which Bridgestone intends to be the benchmark in retail and ESG excellence.

The scheme initially starts in the UK with further rollout in other European markets expected in the future.

Bridgestone plans to assess hundreds of tyre retailers across Europe, over the next couple of years with the intention of accrediting 150 as e-Centres in a £1m (€1.2m) investment.

Andy Mathias, Bridgestone’s head of marketing UK and Ireland and e-Centres project lead, said the concept embodies the company’s holistic approach to business around future mobility.

Mathias elaborated: “Bridgestone e-Centre is a concept that we’re bringing to reality because it’s the right thing to do for the future. It embodies the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which is our global corporate pledge that clearly defines the value we will deliver to society, our customers, and future generations through a set of eight focus areas.”

He added: “This is one of the biggest projects we have undertaken in collaboration with our retail partners. We’re showing that we have the passion to make a tangible difference to the industry and society as a whole. A Bridgestone e-Centre will not only represent a better way of doing business, but it will represent giving customers a better experience in the future.”