Michelin, DHL partner to trial Uptis airless tires

Clermont-Ferrand, France – Michelin Group and German postal service company DHL have partnered up to trial the tire maker’s airless tires, Uptis.

As part of the project, nearly 50 DHL Express vans will begin running on the tires in Singapore by the end of 2023, said Michelin in a statement issued 10 Jan.

The pilot programme began 10 Jan with the first vehicles making initial delivery trips, the French group added.

Michelin said the trial marked a milestone ‘one year ahead of schedule’, as it has targeted 2024 for the introduction of Uptis on passenger cars.

The puncture-proof wheel/tire assembly has no compressed air and is intended for uses on passenger cars and light vans.

Key to the performance of the tire is the use of resin-reinforced fiberglass spokes as load-bearing elements.

With Uptis, Michelin claims that DHL can optimise fleet productivity and enhance business-continuity, as tire pressure issues and punctures are eliminated.

And by lowering the frequency of tire replacements, the airless tire will significantly reduce wastage at the delivery company.

According to the tire maker, presently 20% of tires are scrapped prematurely due to flats and blowouts as well as irregular wear.

Citing “internal research”, Michelin said the airless tire technology could prevent premature scrapping of up to 200 million tires a year worldwide or 2 million tonnes of material.

DHL has recently stepped up its sustainability efforts in Singapore with the introduction of 80 electric vans.

“This collaboration marks another milestone for us as we set out to green our last mile operations and achieve net-zero carbon emissions,” said Christopher Ong, managing director at DHL Express Singapore.

Based on 50 patents linked to the tire’s structure and high-tech materials, Uptis airless technology is key to Michelin’s vision of “a fully sustainable” tire by 2050, the French group.