CES 2022: Michelin showcases airless tires for cargo bikes

At tire specialist Michelin, they are working on new ideas for last-mile package delivery. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the company unveiled a prototype of the airless tire "MICHELIN X Tweel" for eCargo bikes from Coaster Cycles.

"The challenges in this market are very complex," says Tony Marconi, the general manager responsible for the Tweel business at Michelin. "We aim to be the leading manufacturer of sustainable solutions for urban fleets – and to support our customers in the best possible way. We know that the last mile in delivery is often the most expensive. With our airless radial tire technology Tweel, we have already demonstrated in other areas how we can prevent flat tires, maximize uptime, and minimize issues."

The "MICHELIN X TWEEL Airless" radial tire is a complete wheel-tire combination that replaces the tire, rim, and valve. After installation, no air pressure control is necessary. The damping through polyester resin spokes is intended to reduce typical tire vibrations. The driving behavior is comparable to that of air tires.

"With our solutions, we are showing what is possible in the field of e-mobility and especially in the last mile," says Jesse Bartholomew, Vice President Product at Coaster Cycles. "Michelin's airless radial tires will help our customers deliver their shipments even more safely, efficiently, and quickly. We are proud to collaborate with Michelin on such an exciting project."