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Michelin and General Motors have unveiled the design of the first airless tyres that could be available by 2025.
The so-called Uptis tyre (unique puncture-proof tyre system) is made from resin-embedded fibreglass and an aluminium wheel. Its creators claim it can replicate the performance of current tyres while also being better for the environment, longer lasting and cheaper.
‘This will will bring less stress and more peace of mind – knowing that there is no longer the risk of finding yourself on the side of the road because of a flat tyre,’ said Michelin executive vice president Erick Vinesse at the Movin’On transport summit in Montreal.
According to GM and Michelin, punctures and blow-outs will no longer be a concern with the airless tyres and the inability to over or under inflate them means they will have a longer lifespan.
The revolutionary design will also see the existing wheel replaced with a new tread, preventing the need for an entirely new tyre to be fitted.
According to DailyMail UK, Michelin has been working on replacing pneumatic tyres for passenger cars and SUV cars for about two decades.
Toyota and Bridgestone are also in the airless tyre race but GM and Michelin seem to have taken the lead and are ready to go commercial as earky as 2024.
The technology is already in use for some all-terrain vehicles and construction machinery but mainstream vehicles are too heavy.
Previous versions were mildly successful but unable to deal with the high-speed and considerable mass of the vehicles.