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| Michelin and DHL Express Start Testing Michelin UPTIS Airless Tires on Singapore Roads. |
LYLY - Airless tire prototypes will be installed in the fleet of 50 DHL shipping companies in Singapore by the end of 2023. Airless tires will save 2 million tons of raw materials, or the equivalent of the weight of 200 Eiffel Towers.
Nearly 50 vans that make up DHL Express' fleet will start using Michelin UPTIS airless tires for long-haul deliveries in Singapore in late 2023. The pilot project started this week with the first vehicles making their first delivery on Tuesday, 10 January.
Michelin's airless, puncture-proof prototype tire testing is now a step further thanks to the partnership between DHL and Michelin. The first UPTIS tires were finally marketable in real road conditions and testing was carried out one year earlier than originally planned.
“As a pioneer in eco-friendly logistics services, we are excited to partner with Michelin to test airless tires on our vehicles in Singapore. This collaboration marks a milestone for us as we aim to become greener and achieve zero carbon emissions across the DHL network globally,” said Christopher Ong, Managing Director at DHL Express Singapore.
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| Michelin and DHL Express Start Testing Michelin UPTIS Airless Tires on Singapore Roads. |
Christopher said previously DHL had also replaced 80 of their ground delivery fleet vehicles in Singapore with electric vans.
Michelin Global OEM Director Bruno De Feraudy said UPTIS was a major innovation breakthrough in the field of vehicle tires.
No less than fifty patent technologies related to tire structure and high-tech materials were used in the development of UPTIS.
“This demonstrates Michelin's innovative ability to produce mobility that is safer and better for the environment. We are pleased that DHL trusts Michelin to equip its fleet with the first Michelin UPTIS tires," said Bruno.
The UPTIS prototype was a puncture-resistant tire/wheel assembly without compressed air and was intended for cars and light vans.
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| Michelin and DHL Express Start Testing Michelin UPTIS Airless Tires on Singapore Roads. |
The function of air that is generally pumped in tires is replaced by a revolutionary structure that is able to support the vehicle.
The structure ensures the rigidity of the wheels and guarantees driving comfort and safety.
This airless tire is designed as a plug-and-play solution so users can ride comfortably and not worry about road hazards damaging the tires.
With airless tires, the number of tires discarded due to punctures/punctures will also automatically decrease.
Christopher said that by using Michelin UPTIS tires, DHL is expected to be able to optimize the productivity of its fleet and ensure the continuity and smooth running of the business, because there will no longer be problems with tire pressure or leaks. This will reduce the frequency of tire replacement, thereby reducing operating costs.
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| Michelin and DHL Express Start Testing Michelin UPTIS Airless Tires on Singapore Roads. |
Airless technology is key to Michelin's vision of a fully sustainable future for tires by 2050. Currently, 20 percent of tires fail before they reach flat life. About 12 percent is discarded due to tire bursts and eight percent wear out prematurely due to improper tire inflation and use.
Based on research conducted by the Michelin team, Michelin projects that the UPTIS airless technology can prevent premature wear levels of up to 200 million tires per year worldwide. In other words, airless tires would save 2 million tons of raw materials – this is roughly the weight of 200 Eiffel Towers.