Instead of being filled with compressed air like regular tyres, the Uptis is connected to the rim via strong but flexible spokes which fulfil the shock-absorbing role.
The most obvious benefits are road safety and convenience, in that they won’t experience blowouts or sudden flats that could lead to loss of control of the vehicle, or leave you stuck on the side of the road after driving over a nail or hitting a pothole.
The airless tyres will also be virtually maintenance-free and won’t have irregular wear from over- or under-inflation, and they’re also claimed to have a significantly longer lifespan than pressurised tyres.
There's also an environmentally friendly advantage in that the tyres use less raw material, and there will be fewer scrapped tyres from puncture or damage. Michelin says about 200-million tyres are scrapped prematurely every year worldwide due to damage.
General Motors will begin real-world testing of the Uptis prototype tyres later this year on a fleet of Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles in Michigan, US. The goal is to begin offering the Uptis on passenger cars in 2024.
