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Michelin has unveiled its new prototype for airless tyres, designed for e-cargo trikes.
The French tyre manufacturing giant says that it is focusing on developing urban mobility and last-mile delivery products, to help improve sustainable, accessible transport modes.
Michelin has now unveiled the Michelin X Tweel airless radial tyre for e-cargo trikes, designed to be a cost effective solution to prevent punctures.
The tyre was debuted at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA, taking place from January 5-8.
Tony Marconi, the business director for Michelin’s unique airless Tweel design, said: “Michelin is committed to innovation to solve tomorrow’s challenges in this complex and demanding market.
“We aspire to be the leader of sustainable solutions for urban fleets and know the most costly step of logistics is often the last-mile delivery.
“Our innovative Tweel has solved challenges in other segments where flat tyres are an issue. We are looking to get ahead of these obstacles in the urban mobility area and aim to deliver the best solution possible for customers to maximise uptime and minimise issues.”
Michelin says there are a number of benefits to an airless tyre solution for delivery trikes, including reduced downtime due to flat tyres, improved stability in corners, increased carrying capacity over pneumatic tyres, easy changeability and extended battery range due to lower rolling resistance.
The tyres have been mounted on a Coaster cycles e-cargo trike in the e-mobility area of the Las Vegas show, to highlight the new tyre.
Jesse Batholomew, vice president of product ofCoaster Cycles, said: “Coaster has been pushing the limits of what’s possible in e-mobility and leading the way in innovative solutions for last-mile delivery providers.
“The Michelin airless radial tyres will help our customers make safer, more efficient, and faster deliveries with no down-time. We’re proud to partner with Michelin on such an exciting project.”
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The new Tweel is not yet available on the market, but Tweel currently provides airless solutions for golf carts, mowers and other light vehicles.
