Michelin has been testing airless tires for years with a watch towards EV use. Whereas they nonetheless aren’t prepared for manufacturing, executives consider they could possibly be a very good match for autonomous autos and legislation enforcement.

European police forces have expressed curiosity in airless tires as a result of, in contrast to standard pneumatic tires, they can not be shot out throughout automobile chases, Michelin senior vp Bruno de Feraudy stated in a not too long ago revealed interview with The Drive, wherein de Feraudy additionally confirmed that Michelin has examined its Uptis airless tire at as much as 130 mph with police use in thoughts.

GM, Michelin Uptis airless tire prototype

Michelin CEO Florent Menegaux instructed The Drive that airless tires will probably be restricted to “sure sorts of purposes,” however that might additionally embrace autonomous autos. Once more, the principle benefit can be avoiding punctures, in order that passengers would not should get out and alter a tire.

In the identical interview, Menegaux stated Michelin has been in talks with Tesla about testing its Uptis tires, and has had discussions with Common Motors as nicely. Whereas not talked about on this interview, an airless tire may slot in with the upper sturdiness and efficiency necessities that Michelin is engaged on with Hyundai. In 2022 the 2 corporations introduced a partnership to develop environmentally pleasant EV tires.

GM, Michelin Uptis airless tire prototype

Michelin’s present design for airless tires goes again to the Uptis Protype that it launched in 2019, mentioning that it could be supplied in an EV as quickly as 2024 (and, within the meantime, examined on a Bolt EV). The executives interviewed by The Drive did not verify the 2024 launch date, nonetheless.

Different corporations have thought of airless tires as nicely; Toyota and Sumitomo confirmed a fuel-cell idea with airless tires in 2017. But whereas airless tires have potential advantages, in addition to a futuristic vibe, a few of the innovation within the close to future may additionally should deal with rising concern over microplastic air pollution from car tires.