We use cookies to make your experience better. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Learn more.
What are Airless Tyres?
28 Feb 2024
Are tyre punctures a thing of the past? With big brands like Goodyear and Michelin developing airless tyres, it is something we may one day say goodbye to.
Airless Tyres use strong interlaced spokes that surround the wheel. They are produced to have a mesh-like structure that can flex and change shape as the car drives and goes over bumps. These tyres are already used on small vehicles such as golf carts and lawn mowers, but their recent testing on larger vehicles is a development.
What are the advantages to Airless Tyres?
The main advantage of airless tyres is the most obvious: they do not go flat. This can reduce the risk of a puncture or worse, a blowout which can be dangerous. Due to not having any air in them, there is a lot less maintenance required. Alongside this, they do not need to be replaced as frequently, resulting in savings as well as producing less waste. According to Michelin, although there is currently no way to know how long an airless tyre will last, it is recommended that they should be inspected after five years at a maximum. It is expected that an airless tyre will last three times as long as a conventional tyre. Due to their durability, it is not required for cars to carry a spare tyre which can save fuel and battery life and allows for more space in the vehicle.
What are the disadvantages to Airless Tyres?
Due to their high suspension capabilities, airless tyres can absorb the impact of tricky terrain which can create a rougher ride. Airless Tyres also have a lot more contact with the road which results in more drag. This uses more resistance to drive the tyres forward which may cause implications of battery life and range; for combustion engine vehicles, this could result in a lower MPG which can increase CO2 emissions. In addition, this can also create a lot of vibration when in motion due to the rubber in contact with the road. Without the engine sound on an electric car, this can become a dominant source of noise. Due to their durability and the materials needed to make them, these tyres will be a lot more expensive to buy.
When can I buy Airless Tyres?
A product that isn’t emission and economically friendly is not a reality so development needs to continue in order to get this right. However, Michelin’s Unique Puncture-proof Tyre System could debut as early as this year.
