La Poste has announced that it is to fit nearly 40 of its vans with tire manufacturer Michelin’s Uptis airless, puncture-proof tire by 2024. These vans will deliver letters and parcels in the Lesquin, Valenciennes and Douai sectors, in the north of France. Three initial vehicles will be placed in service from June 27, as part of a two-year partnership between La Poste and Michelin.
The Uptis prototype is a puncture-proof wheel/tire assembly for cars and light commercial vehicles where the compressed air of a conventional tire has been replaced by a structure capable of supporting the vehicle. This ensures the strength of the assembly and guarantees driving comfort and safety. It is an off-the-peg solution that enables users to drive with peace of mind, without worrying about road hazards.
The Michelin Uptis tire eliminates the problems linked to tire pressure and punctures, meaning La Poste can reduce downtime and maintenance operations on its fleet. It can therefore ensure better continuity of its activities and services. On an environmental level, the elimination of puncture and underinflation problems will ensure the reduction of the number and frequency of tire replacements, helping to minimize waste. According to Michelin, its main target market for the Uptis prototype is light commercial fleets intended for professional use, and particularly deliveries by van.
“We are particularly happy to collaborate with Michelin, whose know-how and innovations have been serving our mobility for more than a century,” stated Philippe Dorge, deputy managing director of the La Poste Group in charge of the letters and parcels branch.
“We deliver letters and parcels throughout France, six days a week, with postmen and women who travel the equivalent of 50 times the circumference of the Earth every day. We need reliable vehicles that offer total safety on the road while limiting our environmental footprint. We are expecting performance and total peace of mind from the revolutionary Michelin Uptis tires.”
Bruno De Feraudy, director of OEM activities for the Michelin Group, said, “The Michelin Uptis tire is a major innovation in the tire sector and is a key step in the development of a fully sustainable tire by 2050. It is the result of some 50 patents in terms of tire structure and high-tech materials. It demonstrates Michelin’s capacity to innovate in favor of safer mobility that is kinder to the environment. We are delighted that La Poste, the biggest vehicle fleet in France with 50,000 vehicles, i.e., the biggest French company, has chosen the Michelin Uptis tire.”
Read more key vehicles/fleet updates from the parcel and postal technology industry, here.