Bridgestone reinvents the wheel

THE WHEEL is being reinvented with the development of an airless tyre for cars that could put an end to punctures and be kinder to the environment.

Currently being developed by Bridgestone, the Air-Free Concept Tyre has an exterior tread that looks normal but inside there are plastic spokes that support the outer casing.

This does away with the need to pump up the tyres, which means a puncture is no longer a problem as the tyre cannot deflate.

The spokes are made from high-tech thermoplastic material that is recyclable to make the airless tyre have less of an impact on the environment when it reaches the end of its life.

Bridgestone also says the new tyre design uses a low rolling resistance tread design to help cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The Air-Free Tyre Concept is not set to go in to production yet, but Bridgestone says it will begin on-road trials in 2014.

By Press Association reporters