Will we ever see airless tyres on commercial vehicles?
May 2, 2025
Imagine a world where truck drivers no longer fear the hiss of a puncture or the dreaded downtime from a flat tyre. Enter airless tyres - a concept that’s been rolling around for years, but will it ever get some traction?
The airless revolution: what’s the buzz?
Michelin's UPTIS (Unique Puncture-Proof Tire System) is leading the charge. This airless tyre eliminates the risk of flats and blowouts, offering a safer and more reliable ride. UPTIS is already in trials on delivery vans for the likes of DHL and La Poste, and the aim is simple: safer, low-maintenance driving.
Bridgestone’s in the game too, developing air-free tyres that can support a one-tonne vehicle at 60 km/h. It’s still early days, but the wheels (or rather, the honeycombed polymers) are in motion. These innovations are particularly appealing for delivery fleets, where safety and minimal downtime are paramount.
What’s stopping it?
While the benefits are clear, there are plenty of hurdles to overcome. Airless tyres currently have higher production costs, performance, speed limitations, and concerns about load-bearing. Moreover, issues like ride comfort and noise are still being addressed. Still, the tech is evolving fast, and what starts in small fleets often finds its way into the big rigs eventually.
One for the future, then
For now, airless tyres are making their debut in specific applications like delivery vans and autonomous shuttles. It's a start, but widespread adoption in heavy-duty commercial vehicles is still a long way off. However, it's not a stretch to imagine airless tyres rolling into the commercial vehicle scene one day.
At Truck Stuff, we don’t do tyres…
...and we can’t promise to keep you off the hard shoulder, but we can help keep you entertained, and your truck looking sharp, clean, and comfortable should you find yourself waiting there.