No more flats with Michelin’s airless tire

The Michelin Uptis Prototype is tested on a Chevrolet Bolt EV Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the General Motors Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan. GM intends to develop this airless wheel assembly with Michelin and aims to introduce it on passenger vehicles as early as 2024. (Photo by Steve Fecht for General Motors)

IS THE “pneumatique” on the way out?

Apparently, the verdict is still up in the air. But Michelin and General Motors have already unveiled a new generation of airless wheel technology called Michelin Uptis Prototype (or “Unique Puncture-proof Tire System”). GM said it intends to develop this airless wheel assembly with Michelin and aims to introduce it on passenger vehicles as early as 2024.

GM said it would start real-world testing and validation of the Uptis Prototype on a fleet of Chevrolet Bolt EVs later this year.

“General Motors is excited about the possibilities that Uptis presents, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Michelin on this breakthrough technology,” said Steve Kiefer, GM senior vice-president for global purchasing and supply chain. “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.”

The Michelin Uptis Prototype is tested on a Chevrolet Bolt EV Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the General Motors Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan. GM intends to develop this airless wheel assembly with Michelin and aims to introduce it on passenger vehicles as early as 2024. (Photo by Steve Fecht for General Motors)

The company said airless technology allows the Uptis Prototype to eliminate flats and blowouts. This means Uptis offers significant potential for reducing the use of raw materials and waste, contributing to GM’s vision for a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.