Michelin’s Airless Tire Takes Its First Spin in Public

Michelin has been working on airless tires for more than a decade and a half. Remember the next-generation prototype unveiled in Montreal two years ago? It recently hit the road for the first time in public.

The French tire manufacturer used IAA Mobility in Munich, Germany to give consumers the opportunity to take a ride and test its revolutionary Uptis tire (Unique Puncture-proof Tire System) on an electric MINI.

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“The truly distinctive structure of the Michelin Uptis prototype, or its ‘weirdness’ as we have often heard it called, really attracted the attention of many visitors and left a lasting impression on them,” said Cyrille Roget, Michelin Group Technical and Scientific Communications Director. 

“It was an exceptional experience for us, and our greatest satisfaction came at the end of the demonstration when our passengers, who were admittedly a little wary at first, said they felt no difference compared with conventional tires.” 

Using a new composite-based technology, the Uptis works like a regular tire. The only difference is that the air chamber is replaced with rubber bands that preserve the tire’s structural integrity, even under the weight of a vehicle driving at high speeds.

In addition to eliminating the risk of a puncture and the need to regularly check tire pressure to ensure good handling (not to mention preventing uneven wear), Michelin’s airless technology can have a major impact on the environment. Around 200 million tires must be discarded every year due to flats or other problems—equal to the weight of 200 Eiffel towers.

Even though it requires more resources to build than conventional tires, the Uptis could also be used more than once by adding a new tread to the base of the tire when the original one has worn out, thus limiting its overall carbon footprint.

Any drawbacks? Fuel economy and handling may be slightly affected by the use of airless tires, which are heavier than conventional tires.

Michelin, which developed the Uptis in a partnership with General Motors, remains on course to bring the first units to market in 2024. They will be optionally available on select GM models.