Raise your hand if you have ever had a flat tire on your car? Did it happen in a way that was super convenient? No? Well, we’re all part of a very big club. While the cars we drive have gone through some pretty amazing transformations since the introduction of the Model T, some parts of those cars haven’t changed all that much.
The tire is one of those things that has certainly evolved but is still largely built on the same principles. It’s a rubber ring, with air forced into it and then sealed against leaking. I mean, they certainly work, as evidenced by over 100 years of use. But, we also know they have inherent problems, like getting a flat or a blowout.
Well, your wait for a true evolutionary leap in tire technology is coming to an end. Get ready to meet the airless tire.
What is the weakest part of your car? Well, it’s probably not anything made of metal or carbon fiber, or hard plastic. Now, you do have plenty of glass in your car, but for the most part, if something like a rock hits your windshield, you may get a chip or even a crack, but you can probably wait to get it repaired.
But, how about those rubber tires? One little nail gets into the right spot and you very quickly (maybe almost immediately) have a flat tire that needs immediate attention.
So, why haven’t we fixed this obvious flaw? Well, we do have tires that are much better at dealing with flats than in the past. They are also much more puncture-resistant than in years past. And, the airless tire does exist for other types of vehicles, including some ATVs. But, automobiles are still reliant on rubber tubes filled with air which will always have the potential to fail.
Well, buckle your seatbelts because the airless tire may just be a gamechanger for the automobile industry, your experience as a driver, and even be a huge benefit for the environment.
What is an Airless Tire?
The current design is to replace that hollow tube with a bunch of flexible plastic vanes that connect the outside of the wheel (the part that meets the road) with the inner part that connects to the hub and axle. The vanes take up the impact of the road and the pressure put on them by the weight and momentum of the car. Other than that, they look and act like a typical car tire.
So, what are the Advantages?
First off, when that nail goes into your airless tire, there is no air chamber to puncture. So, if it sticks in and falls out, no harm no foul. If it stays stuck, also no harm no foul. The tire just keeps on running like normal. No more flat tires!
So, if there are no more flat tires, what else does that mean? Fewer trips to the tire store to get a flat fixed. Fewer tires are sent off to the landfill when you have a puncture that can’t be repaired (who hasn’t had a puncture too close to the sidewall). Fewer tires need to be made in the first place since they aren’t being replaced as often. There is an estimate that it could save 200 million tires from being thrown away every year.
Sounds great, but what’s the downside?
Honestly, we’re not sure yet. But, there are still plenty of open questions.
How will they drive? Are they ok for commuter drivers but maybe not so much for longer distances or for high-performance cars?
Are they any louder (or quieter) than normal tires?
Will they work well with ABS systems and other stability controls? We can assume they won’t make it onto many cars until the answer is yes.
How will they perform in extreme weather conditions or just regular rain and snow? Again, we’ll assume this needs to be addressed before they gain widespread use.
What will they cost? Probably more than a normal tire, if I had to guess. The tire industry is going to need to make up for the lost revenue of all those replacement tires and a good place to start is by charging more for these super durable airless options.
When can I buy a set for my Car?
Two car companies (GM and Michelin) have targeted 2024 as the year they will bring airless tires to the automobile market. So, stay tuned!
