Airless tires market seen reaching $18.71 billion by 2031

Mordor Intelligence says the global airless tires market is set to grow from $15.34 billion in 2026 to $18.71 billion by 2031, driven by EV adoption, mining demand and more commercial testing. Asia-Pacific leads the market as manufacturers push puncture-resistant designs beyond prototypes and into deployment.

Why it matters: - Airless tires are moving from niche development toward broader commercial use in vehicles where puncture resistance, lower maintenance and durability matter most. - The market is expanding across electric vehicles, defense mobility, mining fleets and micromobility, which could widen adoption beyond early-stage testing. - Higher production costs and certification hurdles for high-speed applications remain key barriers to faster uptake.

What happened: - Mordor Intelligence projected the airless tires market will rise from $15.34 billion in 2026 to $18.71 billion by 2031. - The forecast implies a 4.05% compound annual growth rate during 2026–2031. - The report was released September 30, 2026, from Hyderabad, Telangana, India. - Asia-Pacific is the leading regional market, driven by EV adoption, urbanization and demand for durable, puncture-resistant tires.

The details: - Market growth is being supported by interest in airless tire technology for electric vehicles, defense mobility platforms, mining fleets and micromobility applications. - The shift from prototype development to commercial deployment is creating new opportunities for manufacturers. - Materials innovation and 3-D printed lattice structures are continuing to shape product development. - Mining operators are looking at airless tires to reduce downtime tied to tire failures and maintenance. - Michelin’s Chile facility processes around 30,000 tons of earthmover tires annually, underscoring the scale of tire recycling activity tied to mining. - EV manufacturers are testing airless tires to reduce punctures while meeting vehicle weight and space requirements. - OEM testing is helping advance commercial adoption of non-pneumatic tire designs. - The report lists passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles, two-wheelers and power sports vehicles as key segments. - The material categories include rubber, plastic and composite elastomers. - Manufacturing technologies cited in the report include 3-D printed lattice, molded spoke web and layered honeycomb. - Sales channels include OEM and aftermarket.

Between the lines: - The market is being shaped by practical engineering needs more than consumer preference, especially in mining, defense and EV use cases. - Asia-Pacific’s lead suggests manufacturing capacity and government EV policy are becoming as important as product performance. - North America’s market is supported by defense applications, advanced research and recyclable tire designs, but higher initial costs still slow adoption. - The report’s focus on optimization, 3D printing and new materials signals a race to lower cost and improve performance before high-speed use becomes mainstream. - A study published in February 2026 used finite-element modeling, machine learning and optimization algorithms to improve stiffness, durability and vibration performance in spoke-based airless passenger car tires. - Michelin received recognition in March 2026 for its Lunar Airless Wheel, which uses airless structures, high-tech polymers and 3D printing for lunar rover applications. - The report says estimates are based on primary and secondary research plus cross-checks against supply, trade and company data.

What's next: - Manufacturers are likely to keep pushing airless tire designs toward commercial and specialty applications where downtime, punctures and maintenance costs are highest. - Further progress in materials, lattice structures and testing could improve performance and lower barriers for higher-speed vehicles. - Regional demand in Asia-Pacific and North America will likely continue to influence where production, testing and partnerships develop next.

The bottom line: - Airless tires are gaining traction as a durability play for EVs, mining and defense, but cost and certification still stand between today’s prototypes and mass adoption. - The report is available in Japanese, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.