First Van With Puncture-Proof Tires Hits Singapore's Roads

The public got its first look in Singapore at a van fitted with puncture-proof tires as it made its way from the DHL Express office in Tai Seng Drive to Potong Pasir. From the start, onlookers' attention was drawn to the prototype tires, which are noticeably different from standard ones. Instead of being filled with air, the tires have sturdy rubbery strut-like structures to keep them propped up. DHL Express will have around 50 vans fitted with such tires by the end of 2023 as part of a trial by French tire maker Michelin. The test will last until 2025, following smaller-scale tests conducted here under controlled conditions, as reported by The Straits Times in December 2022.

The tires appeared slightly compressed under the weight of the van, but Michelin stated that this is normal. The imprint on the tires' edges indicates that they can each withstand a maximum load of 650kg. The puncture-proof tire technology is also being tested in Thailand and the United States, in addition to Singapore. According to Michelin, the puncture-proof tires last as long as conventional tires. The company also stated that it is investigating the use of 3D printing technology to add new materials to a worn tire, thereby extending its service life and reducing waste.
The tire company says that 20% of tires on the road are taken out of service before they are fully worn due to flats, blowouts, or irregular wear and tear when they are not pumped to the proper amount of air pressure. According to Michelin, this means that its puncture-proof tires could prevent up to 200 million tires from being discarded prematurely each year. The tires used in the Singapore test are made in South Carolina, the United States. They are sealed to the specially made wheels and bolt directly onto the vans without requiring any vehicle modifications.

Michelin said it is discussing with industrial partners on making the technology available commercially by "mid-decade". This could put the French tire manufacturer ahead of competitors such as Bridgestone of Japan, Hankook of South Korea, and American brand Goodyear, all of which have made announcements or presented early prototypes of similar ideas.