Detroit – General Motors Co. partners with Michelin to test airless and puncture-resistant tires on Michigan's rugged roads.

Airless technology is designed to eliminate punctures and rashes, often a side effect of driving on potholed roads.

GM and Michelin will begin later this year testing in real-world conditions of their airless tire prototype, dubbed Uptis, on a fleet of Michigan-based Chevrolet Bolt vehicles.

GM and Michelin are aiming to introduce new airless tires on mass market passenger cars by 2024.

"General Motors is excited by the opportunities offered by Uptis and we are excited to be working with Michelin on this cutting-edge technology," said Steve Kiefer, GM's senior vice president of purchasing and supply chain, in a statement. a statement. "Uptis is an ideal choice to propel the automotive industry in the future and an excellent example of the benefits to our customers as we collaborate and innovate with our supplier partners."

In addition to weathering the weather better, the Uptis prototype is more environmentally friendly, GM said. Opaque tires are designed to last longer and require less raw materials and less waste to develop.

Michigan has an ubiquitous problem with roads and bridges in ruins. Governor Gretchen Whitmer was elected in 2018 on a platform of "Fix The Damn Roads".

Whitmer responded to the new Wednesday afternoon news on Twitter: "We have not managed to #FTDR for so long that @GM has decided to repair the damn tires instead!"

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