Tesla is reportedly in talks with Michelin tires to use its latest generation of airless tires in its range of electric vehicles.
Airless tires have been around for a long time, but they have yet to be introduced into cars in significant numbers.
They offer the apparent merit of wasting air, which is a primary merit in terms of reliability.
Depending on their design, they can also be lighter and more efficient, but their greatest impact is expected to be environmental by especially reducing tire waste.
French tire giant Michelin is among the tire brands introducing airless tires into passenger cars.
Not a single Tesla app reports now that Michelin has shown that it is in talks with Tesla for its Uptis airless tires:
Michelin, one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers, recently revealed in an interview with its CEO Florent Menegaux that it is in talks to test its generation of Uptis airless tires on Tesla vehicles.
Michelin had already tested its airless tires on the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Announcing the tests in 2019, the automaker said it hoped to introduce the generation in conventional cars by 2024.
It’s discouraging to hear about “new” technologies that have been around for years that have just become a reality. I guess it’s later than never, however, electric cars are the best example of a generation that has been around forever. However, it has only recently begun to make a splash in the country (United States).
If all countries had opted for electric cars several decades ago, air pollutants would have reached record levels. We’ve all noticed the positive impact the pandemic lockdown has had on air quality (strange statement, I know). and it only happened in a short period of time.
This is how oil tycoons have had politicians in their portfolios for generations.
In addition to reliability and waste, the design of airless tires can allow for the design of more durable cords and even replaceable tire surfaces.
One of the main disadvantages of electric cars is that they tend to be heavier. When you combine this with its peak torque and immediate acceleration, it can increase tire wear.
If you can have new tyre technologies that allow for greater structural integrity or replaceable tyre surfaces, you can improve the already positive impact of electric vehicles on the environment.
Airless tires and self-healing tires are two technologies for this.
Fred is Editor-in-Chief and Senior Editor at Electrek.
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