Michelin Uptis undergoes rigorous practical testing
The Michelin Uptis is a puncture-proof wheel-tire combination that does not require air pressure and is designed for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. This is intended to permanently put the issue of "flat tires" to rest. The tire's flexible structure bears the vehicle's weight: it makes the wheel robust and is expected to provide ride comfort and safety. The Uptis is a plug-and-play solution that allows drivers not to worry about the impact of road conditions on their tires.
Since June 27, 2023, the first postal vans in France have been rolling on airless tires
From now on, Uptis is currently the only airless tire in the world running on public roads under real conditions. Throughout 2024, Michelin will equip around 40 transporters of the French postal and parcel service provider La Poste with the airless Uptis tires. The vehicles will be deployed in Lesquin, Valenciennes, and Douai in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The partnership between Michelin and La Poste, scheduled for two years, is kicking off with three PSA transporters that have been running on Uptis tires since June 27, 2023.
The cooperation between Michelin and La Poste is simultaneously the European and French premiere for the use of the Uptis on public roads; similar partnerships exist in Asia. Tire pressure issues and punctures are nearly eliminated with the Uptis: this means less downtime and reduced maintenance for La Poste's fleet, resulting in a more reliable delivery service. No flat tires and no problems caused by air pressure mean fewer tire changes and a significant relief for fleet managers, as well as reduced waste and environmental impact.
Main Target Group: Professional Use Delivery Vans
Michelin's main target market for the Uptis prototype is light commercial vehicle fleets for professional use, especially in delivery traffic. Philippe Dorge, Deputy General Manager of La Poste Group and responsible for the Services/Letters/Parcels division, explains:
“We deliver letters and parcels all over France, six days a week, with postal workers who cover 50 times the Earth's circumference every day. We therefore need reliable and safe vehicles that simultaneously reduce our ecological footprint. We expect performance and absolute safety from the revolutionary Michelin Uptis tires."
Bruno De Feraudy, Director of OEM Activities at the Michelin Group, adds:
"The Michelin Uptis is a significant tire innovation and an important step towards fully sustainable tires by 2050. It is the result of around fifty patents related to tire structure and high-tech materials. Additionally, the tire is proof of Michelin's innovative strength for safer and more environmentally friendly mobility. We are pleased that La Poste has chosen the Michelin Uptis. The company operates the largest vehicle fleet in the domestic market with 50,000 vehicles and is one of the largest employers in France."
What does this mean?
Michelin is one of the strongest drivers of the "airless tire" topic: Because the Michelin Uptis is currently the only airless tire in the world that is being used under real conditions on public roads on three continents (Europe, Asia, North America). Almost three million kilometers have already been covered.
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