![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BU6UIUXORJADWDWXPCSOSDQ6RQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=422aba6256d21b1cf46167c5ec4f3b4687723fe67d9ac7f4f4f392139b711d84&width=400&height=225)
General Motors will begin real-world testing of it on its Bolt EV hatch later this year. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2IQVKM3HNRDZFPBJR3TDOWSZ7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=4ebdcace45d34c9a1c2ea370646bf209190baa3df6067e1b6ccc79fa6aad3b44&width=400&height=225)
The Michelin Uptis Prototype is a radical puncture-proof, airless tyre. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UNYWX6PVCBBBJNVY3Q27KX6FOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2fec21bf840bc31445c30f35e8e7f24f24126603d9a5b8b8269cfded98eb877a&width=400&height=225)
Michelin claims it has the solution to two million tonnes of prematurely discarded tyres ending up on landfills every year. Courtesy Micheli
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FZGOQWYXJLQE4YQJ3QYZ7FKTOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f0f7799e780bb4e27a45fbdee66b684813a4bf669ed1953d7052a345d8eff4bd&width=400&height=225)
General Motors intends to develop this airless wheel assembly with Michelin and aims to introduce it on passenger vehicles as early as 2024. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XLLEVL3V5A4RPLMIKAS6RQMZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c23d4147724dd1868e1c0802d4f57f183047907db7674645b775e523d0e9645&width=400&height=225)
It is made from a combination of rubber for the tread, aluminium for the embedded wheel and a new reinforcing material comprising resin-embedded fibreglass for the 70 spokes that provide the shock absorbing properties instead of air. Courtesy Michelin
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4FHSFHL26DT3HL6ZYFW77BQXZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cdcc772daef3bc7faa18c96b8c4e43d39bd056bd3ccc9d3ee122743cc9e4a382&width=400&height=225)
Initially, the Uptis will be provided for general urban use applications and not for high-performance driving or off-roading. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AD2Z7MX7I5LSE4ZWDXFFQJVXYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7835423777cf0a93cad9b1cbad117ca34c28268c50c52e34fced0085e5eecc01&width=400&height=225)
The wear rate of the tread will be the same as a conventional tyre, however. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O3XXOJF7RZETQ2XSDKETSNPDKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=07b3223d65b947fca7648124e2fe7f40722e82b13db1b8911979a793543a49e2&width=400&height=225)
Uptis: the name stands for Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System. Courtesy Michelin
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BU6UIUXORJADWDWXPCSOSDQ6RQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=422aba6256d21b1cf46167c5ec4f3b4687723fe67d9ac7f4f4f392139b711d84&width=400&height=225)
General Motors will begin real-world testing of it on its Bolt EV hatch later this year. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2IQVKM3HNRDZFPBJR3TDOWSZ7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=4ebdcace45d34c9a1c2ea370646bf209190baa3df6067e1b6ccc79fa6aad3b44&width=400&height=225)
The Michelin Uptis Prototype is a radical puncture-proof, airless tyre. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UNYWX6PVCBBBJNVY3Q27KX6FOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2fec21bf840bc31445c30f35e8e7f24f24126603d9a5b8b8269cfded98eb877a&width=400&height=225)
Michelin claims it has the solution to two million tonnes of prematurely discarded tyres ending up on landfills every year. Courtesy Micheli
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FZGOQWYXJLQE4YQJ3QYZ7FKTOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f0f7799e780bb4e27a45fbdee66b684813a4bf669ed1953d7052a345d8eff4bd&width=400&height=225)
General Motors intends to develop this airless wheel assembly with Michelin and aims to introduce it on passenger vehicles as early as 2024. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XLLEVL3V5A4RPLMIKAS6RQMZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c23d4147724dd1868e1c0802d4f57f183047907db7674645b775e523d0e9645&width=400&height=225)
It is made from a combination of rubber for the tread, aluminium for the embedded wheel and a new reinforcing material comprising resin-embedded fibreglass for the 70 spokes that provide the shock absorbing properties instead of air. Courtesy Michelin
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4FHSFHL26DT3HL6ZYFW77BQXZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=cdcc772daef3bc7faa18c96b8c4e43d39bd056bd3ccc9d3ee122743cc9e4a382&width=400&height=225)
Initially, the Uptis will be provided for general urban use applications and not for high-performance driving or off-roading. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AD2Z7MX7I5LSE4ZWDXFFQJVXYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7835423777cf0a93cad9b1cbad117ca34c28268c50c52e34fced0085e5eecc01&width=400&height=225)
The wear rate of the tread will be the same as a conventional tyre, however. Courtesy General Motors
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O3XXOJF7RZETQ2XSDKETSNPDKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=07b3223d65b947fca7648124e2fe7f40722e82b13db1b8911979a793543a49e2&width=400&height=225)
Uptis: the name stands for Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System. Courtesy Michelin
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BU6UIUXORJADWDWXPCSOSDQ6RQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=422aba6256d21b1cf46167c5ec4f3b4687723fe67d9ac7f4f4f392139b711d84&width=400&height=225)
General Motors will begin real-world testing of it on its Bolt EV hatch later this year. Courtesy General Motors
Reinventing the wheel: what to expect from Michelin's airless, puncture-proof tyres
Say goodbye to flat tyres and keeping spare wheels in your boot: we find out what to expect when Michelin rolls out its new creation in 2024
Damien Reid
31 August, 2019
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