CES debut for Michelin airless last-mile solution

Michelin is presenting a new airless solution for urban mobility and last-mile applications at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Visitors will encounter the prototype Michelin X Tweel airless radial for eCargo trikes fitted to the Coaster Cycles eCargo trike at its stand in the eMobility Experience as well as in the Test Track area.

Commenting on the prototype’s first public appearance, Tony Marconi, Michelin North America’s Tweel business director, says: “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,” adds Marconi. “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 sees the following key advantages of airless tyres for eCargo trikes:

• Reduced downtime (late deliveries, cost of repair, inefficient operators) by eliminating flat tyres
• Improved safety/stability. Tweels provide more stability when going around corners, allowing faster last-mile deliveries
• Potential to increase carrying capacity over pneumatic tyres
• No tyre maintenance or flat repairs
• Efficient changeability with fewer parts
• Extended range due to lower rolling resistance
• Improved end-of-life reuse and recyclability
• Improved tyre wear.

“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,” says Jesse Bartholomew, vice-president product for Coaster Cycles. “The Michelin airless radial tyres will help our customers make safer, more efficient, and faster deliveries with no downtime. We’re proud to partner with Michelin on such an exciting project.”

Pneumatic performance without the inconvenience

A Michelin X Tweel airless radial tyre is a single unit that replaces the current tyre and wheel assembly. There is no need for complex mounting equipment and no air pressure to maintain. The energy transfer within the poly-resin spokes helps reduce the ‘bounce’ associated with pneumatic tyres while providing outstanding handling characteristics. Michelin has designed Tweel to perform like a pneumatic tyre without the inconvenience and downtime of their inflated counterparts.