Michelin will test airless tires on French mailer trucks, providing a more realistic experience with tire designs that could benefit electric vehicles.
La Poste, France’s postal service, plans to install Michelin Uptis airless tires on 40 delivery trucks by 2024, according to a Michelin press release. Three vehicles are already in use by the time you read this, operating on the mail routes in the northern region of France.
The Uptis is one of the few airless tire designs, in this case using an internal structure to hold the shape of the tire instead of the air pressure inside. The statement said that Michelin’s main target for Uptis is commercial light truck fleets, especially delivery teams. But the company also recently confirmed that it has tested the tires at speeds up to 130 mph with law enforcement in mind.
Prototype GM airless tire, Michelin Uptis
Airless tires are also not prone to punctures, so there is no need to change tires. That could also make them ideal for self-driving vehicles operating in ride-sharing services without the need for a human operator on board, Michelin has suggested. In the past, Michelin has suggested electric vehicles could be the main focus.
GM began testing this product line on the Chevy Bolt EV in 2019 and hinted that it could offer Uptis technology. on EV 2024—although there have been no further announcements since. Toyota in 2017 also proposes its electric car airless tires can be usedbut never followed up.
Prototype GM airless tire, Michelin Uptis
Airless tires can help electric vehicle drivers maximize their range. In addition to the obvious benefit of preventing punctures, deflations and flats, airless tires maintain ideal rolling resistance or close to that throughout their life without the need to constantly check the pressure.
Modern vehicle tire pressure monitoring systems have helped to solve the problem of maintaining optimal pressure, but it is still a problem that some drivers overlook—and it is. especially important for electric vehicles and driving range.
