Groupe Michelin is working on its fifth generation of environmentally friendly tires, Dr. Patrick Oliva, global vice president for sustainable development, Michelin, announced today at the North American International Auto Show.
At the show, which is being held in Detroit, Mich., Michelin is displaying its Michelin Active Wheel concept, which contains an electric drive motor inside the rim, along with an in-wheel active suspension and disc brakes.
"Because we are convinced that the battle to reduce mass and the introduction of electric power trains will be two major disruptions of the next two decades, Michelin is moving beyond just the tire and is imagining what the wheel itself can incorporate," said Oliva.
"At Michelin, we believe that electric power trains will develop. Whether they are plug-in hybrids, hybrids, or pure EVs (electric vehicles), it's clear that electric drive vehicles will come in many forms and for multiple markets."
