Michelin Starts Trial Of Puncture-proof Tires On Singapore Roads
Nearly 50 DHL Express vans will begin running on the Michelin UPTIS airless tire to make last-mile deliveries in Singapore by the end of 2023. The pilot program begins with the first vehicles making the first delivery trips from January 10. The partnership between DHL and Michelin, Michelin's airless prototype tire, has taken another step forward.
One year ahead of schedule, the very first Michelin UPTIS tires are now marketed in real-world conditions.
The Michelin UPTIS prototype is a puncture-proof wheel/tire assembly with no compressed air and is intended for cars and light vans. The air has been replaced by a revolutionary structure capable of supporting the vehicle. This ensures the wheel’s robustness and guarantees driving comfort and safety. It was designed as a plug-and-play solution that allows users to drive conveniently and not worry about road hazards impacting the tires. It also limits the number of tires scrapped due to punctures.
With the Michelin UPTIS tire, DHL can optimise its fleet’s productivity and ensure business continuity, as tire pressure issues and punctures are eliminated. This will lower the frequency of tire replacement, leading to less wastage.
Airless technology is the key to Michelin’s vision of a fully sustainable tire by 2050. Today, 20 per cent of tires are scrapped prematurely due to flats and blowouts (12 per cent) or irregular wear and tear caused by poor tire pressure (8 per cent).
Based on internal research, Michelin projects that UPTIS airless technology could prevent premature scrapping of up to 200 million tires a year worldwide or 2 million tons of material – a material savings roughly equivalent to the weight of 200 Eiffel Towers.
