Michelin and GM are reportedly working on the airless tire for the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle or EV.
A Chevrolet Volt logo is seen during an event sponsored by the General Motors Company in Washington, DC on February 28, 2017.
Michelin, GM Airless Tires
Currently, the airless tires, known as the Michelin Uptis, are being tested on the current version of the Chevy Bolt.
As per a news story by CarBuzz, the current iteration of the airless tires has been in the making for more than a decade already as it attempts to innovate the traditional tires that vehicles have been flaunting for more than a century.
This time around, according to a recent report by CNET, both Michelin and GM are working on testing the airless tires to make it a reality in the next-generation Chevy Bolt EV, making it the first car to sport such technology if ever it does pan out.
Michelin is reportedly working closely with the parent firm of Chevrolet, GM, or General Motors, to include the airless tires in a production vehicle.
The president of Michelin North America, Alexis Garcin, himself confirmed that they "want to bring the next generation of the Chevrolet Bolt with airless tires."
When the Michelin North America boss was asked when the airless tires are coming, he said that "it's going to happen now in the next three to five years."
Michelin Airless Tires
The airless tires are obviously puncture-proof, making them more durable than the tires we use on our cars nowadays. Not to mention that they are expected to be safer as they do not experience any blowouts.
On top of that, the material used for the airless tires is also meant to be more environmentally friendly than the rubber that conventional tires are using these days.
Aside from that, CNET also noted that the absence of air from these tires also means that its users would no longer experience any flat issues. What's more, the airless technology would also prevent rolling resistance brought by low air pressure.
Read Also: Chevy Bolt EV, EUV Affected by GM's Michigan Plant? Stop Production Rumors for the Car
Next-Gen Chevrolet Bolt EV
It is worth noting that GM has yet to confirm that it is working on a next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV.
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 17: The General Motors logo on the world headquarters building is shown September 17, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. Mary Barra, Chief Executive Officer of General Motors, and Mark Reuss, President of GM North America, held an Employee Town Hall Meeting and a question & answer session with the news media today to discuss GM's $900 million settlement with the Justice Department over GM's ignition switch recalls.
In fact, GM is still currently recalling the battery of the Chevy Bolt. Simultaneously, the carmaker also halted the production of the EV.
However, last Feb. 15, CNET said in a separate report that the production of the Chevy Bolt and the Bolt EUV is reportedly returning starting on April 4.
Related Article: 2021 Chevy Bolt EV Snatches Annual EV Award from Tesla: Overall Ranking, Range, Price, and More
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Written by Teejay Boris
