Michelin presents airless tyre

Michelin and GM unveiled a prototype of the ‘Uptis’ (Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System), a Michelin-made tyre intended for passenger cars, at the Movin’On Summit earlier this week.

The two companies are testing the Uptis Prototype, beginning with vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, and hope to feature it on cars as OE from 2024.

Because the Uptis is airless, the breakthrough wheel assembly eliminates the dangerous risk of flat tyres and blowouts:

• Drivers of passenger vehicles feel safer on the road.
• Operators of passenger vehicle fleets minimize downtime and improve efficiency resulting from flat tyres and near-zero levels of maintenance.
• Society at large benefits from extraordinary environmental savings through reduced use of raw materials for replacement tire or spare tyre production.

The Uptis Prototype represents a major advancement toward achieving Michelin’s Vision concept, which focuses on four main pillars of innovation: airless, connected, 3D-printed and 100 per cent sustainable (entirely renewable or bio-sourced materials).