Michelin and GM working on airless, puncture-proof tyre

Punctures will be a thing of the past following a new partnership between General Motors and Michelin that paves the way for the introduction of airless tyres in early 2024.

Puncture-proof airless tyres are nothing new, Michelin already offer its Tweel technology on golf carts, mowers and some small agricultural vehicles around the globe but, until now, passenger cars have missed out on the innovation.

But that changes following new pioneering trial involving a fleet of the US car-maker's pure-electric Chevrolet Bolts that will see the airless tech testing in real-world conditions.

Featuring the French brand's latest UPTIS (Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System), the new technology is claimed to offer huge safety and convenience benefits over conventional air-filled rubber.

Michelin UPTIS tech, for example, means owners will no longer have to check tyre pressures and damaged tyres will no longer lead to lethal high-speed blow-outs.

Even wear and tear will be significantly reduced as drivers will no longer over– or under-inflate their tyres causing premature damage or aging to their tyres.

Both GM and Michelin says the new tech will also significantly reduce the environmental impact of the tyre industry as a whole as airless tyres will last longer and won't be scrapped before the end of their life-cycle in the same way punctured tyres are.

UPTIS tyres also reduce the need for spare tyres having to be carried, reducing weight and emissions of cars equipped with them.

Michelin estimates that around 20 per cent of tyres are scrapped each year due to punctures or poor inflation adding to the 200 million tyres disposed of annually.