A Michelin executive revealed in an interview with The Drive that airless tires aren’t yet ready for production cars, but European police are interested in them because they cannot be shot out during car chases. Michelin senior vice president Bruno de Feraudy stated that some European law enforcement authorities had requested the tires to be installed in their vehicles. Michelin tested its Uptis airless tire on police vehicles on its own track reaching speeds up to 130 mph.
GM, Michelin Uptis airless tire prototype
Aside from law enforcement, autonomous vehicles may also benefit from the technology. In the same interview, Michelin CEO Florent Menegaux explained that they are considering airless tires for driverless cars because they aren’t susceptible to punctures like pneumatic tires. This means passengers won’t have to change a tire on a vehicle they didn’t even drive.
MICHELIN introduced the Uptis prototype, short for Unique Puncture-proof Tire System, on a Chevrolet Bolt EV in 2019. General Motors announced testing of the Uptis tires on a fleet of Bolt EVs with the aim of making them available on production cars in 2024. However, neither executive confirmed this launch date during the interview.
Michelin Uptis prototype tire, on Chevrolet Bolt EV
Michelin has used airless tire technology with UTVs since 2018, and experimented with its application with lawnmowers and skid-steer loaders. However, it remains uncertain when or if Michelin will produce airless tires for cars. Menegaux highlighted that airless tires will probably always have specific applications and won’t replace pneumatic tires. Other tire manufacturers like Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Hankook have also created prototypes or concept airless tires in the past.
