Toyo Tires unveils new airless tire concept for EVs 

Why reinvent the wheel when you can settle for reimagining the tire instead? Japanese rubber company Toyo Tires is taking on the challenge, as it revealed its own take on the airless radial for electric vehicles (EVs). 

'Noair' airless tire by Toyo Tires

If the ‘Noair’ product name sounds more than a bit uninspired, the technology it uses is anything but. An array of 100 X-shaped resin spokes alternately cross the width of the tire inside and out, providing the necessary structural rigidity in lieu of a conventional sidewall. 

Since they were first created, the spokes are now claimed to be ten times more durable, increasing the tire’s breaking strength by approximately 40 percent.  

The reinforced spokes around the tire's circumference help distribute load more evenly

The tire’s tread is made of fuel-efficient rubber, developed with what Toyo calls Nano Balance Technology. A unique tread pattern reduces rolling resistance compared to conventional tires, as well as shortening wet braking distance. Sandwiched between the tread and spokes is an external diameter resin ring made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), which helps distribute the load carried by the spokes more evenly. 

Of course, not needing air to begin with, the Noair tire allows long drives without the risk of getting a flat or suffering a blowout in transit. Vehicles equipped with such an airless tire will likely be more fuel-efficient as well, as they would no longer need to carry a spare tire.

Michelin will reportedly release its Uptis airless tires on the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV

Toyo’s latest product in progress follows the Uptis airless tire concept launched by Michelin in 2019. Developed in partnership with General Motors, Uptis will reportedly be standard equipment on the upcoming next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV between 2025 and 2028.

While Toyo says it has been researching and developing airless tires since 2006, it plans to market Noair first for carts used on private property such as golf courses and theme parks. This is because current Japanese road safety standards are still based on conventional pneumatic tires. 

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