Bridgestone announced it has developed a non-pneumatic concept tyre that could turn out to be a safer and more environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional tyres in the future.

The innovative tyre is 100 percent recyclable and uses a thermoplastic resin spoke structure along the inner sides of the tyres that supports the weight of the vehicle. However, perhaps the most important advantage is that the non-pneumatic tyre increases the safety level as the risk of punctures potentially causing a fatal collision is eliminated. Although such concepts were presented in the form of the Michelin Tweel and Resilient Technologies' honeycomb design, Bridgestone states in a press release that previously such concept tyres have been impractical to produce for the mass market. Bridgestone developed this technology with the aim of practical implementation. Such a tyre also eliminates the need to carry a spare tyre, thus freeing up the boot space. This has a weight-saving advantage as well and contributes to better fuel efficiency.

Looking at the design of the tyre, I am not sure how it can be fitted to the car with bolts and nuts. In addition, if the inner surface of the tyre is exposed like the pictures above, some stones from the road might get trapped to the spoke structure. Another question to be answered is the structural integrity of the spokes over time and its working lifespan. And finally, I believe most motorist would be concerned about its selling price, should the concept goes into production eventually.