General Motors (GM) has teamed up with Michelin to give car buyers an airless tire on vehicles as early as 2024. The pair just presented the MICHELIN Uptis (Unique Puncture-proof Tire System) Prototype – a new generation of airless wheel technology – for the first time at the Movin’On Summit for sustainable mobility in Montreal. Real-world testing on the prototype tires will begin later this year on a fleet of Chevrolet Bolt electric cars.
Steve Kiefer, senior vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, General Motors, said in a press release:
General Motors is excited about the possibilities that Uptis presents, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Michelin on this breakthrough technology. 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.
Not only are these tires better for drivers, but they are also better for the environment. The airless technology of these new tire eliminates the occurrence of blowouts and flat tires which is good for the driver. Simultaneously, this results in a significant potential for reducing the use of raw materials and waste which is good for the environment. Overall, it contributes to GM’s vision for a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion as it:
- Reduces unnecessary waste: The fact that the Uptis eliminates flats and blowouts is convenient for the driver, safer, and reduces the number of tires that are scrapped before reaching the end of their life cycle.
- Reduces the use of raw materials: The number of spare tires and replacement tires needed will decrease and that in turn reduces the energy used for their production and emissions linked to their manufacture. Furthermore, Uptis lasts longer thus reducing the use of new materials even further as it doesn’t need to be changed as frequently as a traditional tire.
- Longevity: Uptis last longer because its design eliminates the problem of irregular wear and tear caused by over- or under-inflation. According to Michelin, 200 million tires are thrown out every year because of damage, such as blowouts and irregular wear caused by improper tire pressure.
GM plans to radically change its business in preparation for the future of transportation. Part of that plan is a zero-emissions pledge. Another part of the plan involves making ideal vehicles for tomorrow. Uptis is completely a tire for the vehicles of tomorrow as it eliminates regular maintenance, such as pressure checks, and inspections for damage, such as punctures. It also falls in line with a zero-emissions strategy as its revolutionary design and materials yield massive sustainability benefits because they reduce the number of tires that are condemned to scrap and reducing overall raw materials and energy used in tire production.
And, as a bonus: car drivers feel safer and more secure on the road since the dangers of flat tires and blowouts are eliminated; and fleet owners and professional vehicle drivers optimize their business productivity since there would be no downtime from flats, near-zero levels of maintenance!
