There have been efforts to develop more durable tires for a long time, in a form that doesn’t require air. On the other hand, the technology that was supposed to be innovative was still in its infancy until recently – especially with regard to amateur attempts – but it seems that a breakthrough has been made in this matter.
Michelin has begun testing its airless tire, the Uptis, in Europe as well, and in extreme conditions, in road traffic. The pilot project began in June 2023, within the framework of which airless tires were installed on three delivery trucks of the French Post Office, i.e. La Poste – in the next stage of testing, 40 postal workers will already use the new products of the French tire manufacturer.
This can happen until 2024, if the data collected in the first phase of the project shows that the technology is moving in a positive direction, but if they consider it necessary, they can develop it further.
This isn’t the first place they’ve been testing, as they’ve been testing run-flat tires on pickup trucks in Singapore since last year in collaboration with local DHL.
the @tweet Michelin chooses to equip its delivery vehicles with MICHELIN Uptis puncture-resistant tires!
Our MICHELIN Uptis tire is the world’s only airless tire that travels on open roads, under real conditions!
Learn more: https://t.co/D7JVuphXVL pic.twitter.com/H8e1Dyyxmc
– Michelin June 27, 2023
The photos attached to the French brand’s press release last week show a Citroën Jumpy with airless tyres, but La Poste’s fleet includes thousands of vans, such as the Renault Kangoo. As a long-term goal, Michelin has identified that, thanks to the framework, the French Post Office will be able to reduce downtime due to maintenance.
Uptis-equipped trucks are currently operating in the region of three cities in northern France, Lesquin, Valenciennes and Douai, near the Belgian border.
Instead of pneumatics, Uptis tires are based on flex ribs, which are almost completely transparent thanks to their unusual design, but at the moment it is not clear whether they will go into serial production later. However, so much has already been revealed about Michelin’s long-term plans that airless tires are primarily intended for light commercial vehicles involved in commercial transportation.
