Airless, puncture-resistant, eco-friendly tires

Millions of tires end up in landfills early because of puncture damage. There, they are joined by legions of more tires that are simply too old and worn out. Disposed tires can become fire hazards, releasing gases, heavy metals, and oil into the environment.

The airless tires have been in development for over a decade. The company is aiming to get them on your car by 2024.

The airless tires dubbed UPTIS, which stands for Unique Puncture Proof Tire System, an important step on the road to sustainability. As the name suggests, the airless tires don’t puncture, so they should last longer, which means less tires will need to be produced, helping limit waste.

Furthering the green mission, the tires can also be made from recycled plastic waste. Right now, they only contain some recycled waste, but the company plans to eventually make them entirely from recycled material. 

The company believes the airless tires will lead to safer, worry-free driving, as road conditions will be less damaging to the tires. This has the knock-on effect of lower costs for vehicle fleets, like buses or rental cars, as well. 

Unique puncture proof tire system combines an Aluminium wheel with a special “tire” around it. Made with a plastic matrix laced with — and reinforced by — glass fibers. This outer tire is designed to be flexible while strong enough to support the car. 

The airless tires can also be adjusted to change their performance. Stiffness can be changed to impact how the car feels while braking, cornering, or accelerating, while holes punched in the tires can help reduce the likelihood of sliding dangerously in the rain.