Michelin tests the puncture-proof tire

The tire manufacturer Michelin has partnered with delivery company DHL to develop an airless tire.

It’s the nightmare of many drivers. Getting a flat at high speed and risking destabilizing the vehicle. Although the risks are now less significant thanks to the better durability of modern tires, it is still possible to run over a nail, or simply drive underinflated, which greatly increases the hazards.

To reduce accidents, especially for commercial vehicles with much heavier load capacities, Michelin has teamed up with DHL and Maxion (which supplies compatible rims) to develop a new airless tire called UPTIS (for Unique Puncture-proof Tire System).

By the end of 2023, the different partners will equip 50 DHL Express utility vehicles to perform last-mile deliveries in Singapore. “As a pioneer in green logistics, we are pleased to partner with Michelin to test these airless tires on our vehicles in Singapore. As part of our sustainability efforts, we have already converted 80 vehicles in our Singapore fleet to electric utility vehicles. This collaboration marks a new step in our goal to make our last-mile activities more eco-friendly, including an objective of zero net carbon emissions across the entire DHL network.“, explains Christopher Ong, Managing Director of DHL Express Singapore.

An economy equivalent to the weight of 200 Eiffel Towers

The Michelin UPTIS tire is intended for cars and light utility vehicles. According to the manufacturer, air has been “replaced by a revolutionary structure capable of supporting the vehicle.”

According to the French company, the airless technology contributes to its commitment to develop a fully sustainable tire by 2050. The latest statistics specify that tires are discarded after a puncture (12%) or uneven wear (8%) caused by incorrect pressure. An internal Michelin study states that the UPTIS tire would prevent “the disposal of 200 million tires annually worldwide, or 2 million tons of materials, an economy equivalent to the weight of 200 Eiffel Towers.”

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