AIRFREE DRIVING
New airless tyres will mean you never have to worry about a puncture again – and they could cost less than regular tyres
THE stress of a punctured tyre could soon be a thing of the past for British motorists.
The very first airless tyre has been developed by Michelin and General Motors.
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Currently in the prototype stage, the "puncture-proof" design hopes to eliminate blowouts and reduce the number of old tyres disposed of each year.
The manufacturers unveiled the new generation of airless wheel technology, known as Uptis (Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System) this week.
And the high-tech tyre could roll out to passenger vehicles as early as 2024.
Unlike traditional rubber tyres, airless technology makes Uptis immune to flats and blowouts, reducing danger to passengers, and eliminating the need for regular maintenance like pressure checks and puncture inspections.
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Video from Michelin reveals the technology behind it's new airless tyres
Uptis is made from resin-embedded fibreglass and an aluminium wheel.
It uses a series of spokes instead of the usual sidewall of the tyres, and is able to hold the weight of an SUV just as well as a regular air-filled tyre.
Drivers will also be able to replace the tread on Uptis once it wears out, removing the need for a completely new tyre.
The design comes with massive sustainability benefits by decreasing the number of tyres sent to scrap and scaling back raw materials and energy used in production.
And due to the simple production model, airless tyres could actually be cheaper than traditional rivals.
Uptis tyres are designed to last longer than regular tyres, as they don't suffer the same wear and tear caused by over- or under-inflation.
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Eric Vinesse, executive vice president, research and development at Group Michelin, said: "The Uptis Prototype demonstrates Michelin’s capacity for innovation — in both the mastery of these high-tech materials, and also the development approach in close collaboration with GM, which validates our Vision concept as a roadmap for innovation.
"Uptis represents progress toward Michelin’s vision for tomorrow’s mobility, and also embodies our commitment to a better, sustainable mobility for all."
Steve Kiefer, senior vice president, global purchasing and supply chain at General Motors, said: "General Motors is excited about the possibilities that Uptis presents, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Michelin on this breakthrough technology.
"Uptis is an ideal fit for propelling the automotive industry into the future and a great example of how our customers benefit when we collaborate and innovate with our supplier partners."