Airless tires have gained the interest of European police because they cannot be shot out during car chases. Michelin’s Uptis airless tire has been tested at speeds up to 130 mph on police vehicles on its own track. In a recent interview with The Drive, Michelin senior vice president Bruno de Feraudy revealed that the police of some European countries have expressed interest in the Uptis tires because they are prone to tire punctures during car chases.
Michelin CEO Florent Menegaux believes airless tires could also be used in autonomous vehicles due to their resistance to punctures, as explained in the same interview with The Drive. This would eliminate the need for passengers to change a tire, which can be especially inconvenient in a vehicle they are not driving.
In 2019, Michelin introduced the Uptis prototype on a Chevrolet Bolt EV, with General Motors planning to test the Uptis tires on a fleet of Bolt EVs for a potential production launch in 2024; however, the launch date’s validity remains unconfirmed, and Michelin is reportedly in discussions with Tesla about testing the Uptis tires.
The availability of tires that do not require air for personal cars remains uncertain, even though they have already been introduced for UTVs, lawnmowers, and skid-steer loaders. According to Menegaux, these airless tires will always have specific applications and will not fully replace conventional tires, despite their potential benefits.
