GM Starting Airless Tires Starting In 2024

[John]

GM and Michelin are teaming up to offer a new kind of tire starting on some of its 2024 vehicles.

Chevrolet Bolt electric cars[/URL]. GM said the airless technology means the prototype will not get flats or blowouts. In turn, that could mean less use of raw materials and waste, contributing to GM's refrain of its vision for a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.

For more information and with thanks to: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...es/1351655001/

It is supposed to offer longer tire life due to less over and under inflation and other tire irregularities.

What do you think?

[MidEngine]

I live on a gravel road with constant summer dust and winter mud. It is a big enough challenge keep mud build up off the wheel barrels. It would not be possible to do so with the 100 spokes of new tire. The build up of the mud in winter is sometimes irregular around the wheel insides. When it is that way it causes front end vibrations. Thus a big NO THANKS for those who live on gravel roads.

[Racer86]

I would be more interested in a quiet tire.

[Frenzy36]

Very interesting. I could see that working out very well as they could also put a sidewall on them. They could even re skin the outside perimeter when there is excessive wear.

[Milliwatt Rob]

It looks as if the tire casing could outlive several sets of new treads. If these were re-capable, they could last the life of the car.

However, I have my doubts anyone would turn a new record lap time on a tire with such a construction. More for the Bolt-Prius-Sonic end of the market.

[Racer X]

Gotta get out of the dark ages here Gents...

A) Who said they were noisy?
B) Who said they wouldn't have an off-road variant?
C) Who said they weren't every bit as stable if not more that air filled?

[455SDguy]

The construction crowd uses these on skid steers, atv's and tractors because nobody likes flat tires period. If Michellin is doing it for cars pretty sure their lawyers are not going to let them do anything stupid. But the concern of what happens on a muddy gravel road and snow covered road will sure be on the test track trials before we see one on cars.

[meyerweb]

The "pothole" they're showing in the video is a joke. As in, not a pothole at all. I hit a hole that was at least 6 inches deep and a foot long at 60 mph on the PA turnpike. Let me see what happens to the rim when this tire hits one like that.

[455SDguy]

[QUOTE=meyerweb;n39436]The "pothole" they're showing in the video is a joke. As in, not a pothole at all. I hit a hole that was at least 6 inches deep and a foot long at 60 mph on the PA turnpike. Let me see what happens to the rim when this tire hits one like that.[/QUOTE

I am pretty sure you would be calling for a buddy to bring you a new wheel and tire plus a beer.

[JB]

Not to be too critical...that tire just needs a sidewall...

because that is one ugly tire design with regards to sidewalls..

cover that sidewall up...

[John]

A flexible rubber membrane or equivalent sidewall.