Are EV Tires Different?

Tire manufacturers are now offering tires that are specifically engineered for electric vehicles (EVs). Are EV-specific tires any different from regular tires? How and why are they different? Do EVs need special tires? We’ll discuss these and more in this article.

EV Tires vs. Regular Tires: Main Differences

At a glance, these two tire types might look the same. However, EV tires have different capabilities and characteristics that are better suited for EVs.

EV Tires Are Designed to Handle More Weight

Weight is a notable difference between traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and EVs. EVs are typically 30% heavier since they have large batteries that contain a lot of heavy metals such as cobalt, lithium, and nickel. This extra weight means that their tires will need to carry more load.

What are EV-compatible tires? Well, at the most basic level, they have to be able to handle extra weight, which means EV tires will need more air and have a higher tire pressure.

An EV using regular tires will wear them out faster since they aren’t meant to run with heavier loads and at higher pressures. EV tires are thicker and have more material so that they won’t puncture as easily. As a result, EV tires also tend to be heavier. More weight means that an EV will have different characteristics when it comes to accelerating, braking, and even cornering, as its tires will have more inertia.

EV tire manufacturers also make tire sidewalls with more layers, which allows the rubber to be more rigid. Overall, a thicker tire with more layers is more stable and can carry more weight.

EV Tires Have Less Rolling Resistance

EVs have smooth, aerodynamic shapes to cut through the air and require the least amount of energy to travel. EVs also have wheel covers that reduce the amount of aerodynamic drag when the wheels are rotating. EV tires are also designed to have less rolling resistance to give EVs as much range as possible.

How is this done? Tire manufacturers use a different rubber compound and create different tire profiles, thread patterns, and tire structures. However, wheel manufacturers often have to balance rolling resistance with aspects such as grip by playing around with the tire formula. There are always compromises since a single tire can’t have everything. Hence, EV tires are supposed to be the sweet spot that balances these aspects.

EV Tires Have Unique Traction

EV tires are meant to strike a balance between low rolling resistance and grip. Tire manufacturers are aware that EVs deliver power differently compared to their ICE counterparts. Unlike traditional engines, electric motors can produce a lot of torque instantly, which can place a lot of stress on the tire’s surface during acceleration. With this in mind, EV tires have been developed to have a stickier compound so that they can accelerate without wheelspin. When it comes to tread patterns, these tires also have stiff and wide center rib patterns to reduce any slippage that might occur.

An EV’s added weight also creates more inertia, which will put more stress on the tires during acceleration, braking, and cornering. Giving EV tires a grippier compound eliminates sluggish handling. That said, you might be thinking, don’t softer compound tires produce more rolling resistance since they’re stickier?

The softness or hardness of the compound doesn’t determine the amount of rolling resistance it has. Instead, it’s actually the flex of the tire carcass at the contact patch that determines how much energy is lost. A softer compound will bend more easily, resulting in less energy loss to flexing forces.

EV Tires Are Quieter

EV tires also run with less tire noise. When traveling at highway speeds, tires can create up to 70 decibels of tire noise. Since EVs are extremely silent during operation, EV tires were also made to create less road noise to emphasize their quiet nature.

EV tires can run quieter due to special tread compounds, tread shapes, and foam on the interior surface of the tire. The foam inserts function like foam liners inside a studio, which provide padding that prevents sound from reverberating. 

EV Tires Cost More

Are EV tires more expensive? Given that EV tires seem to have better performance in practically all aspects, it’s only natural that EV tires are 20% to 30% more expensive than normal tires for an ICE vehicle. The increased cost can be attributed to research and development costs plus the cost of materials.

However, not all EV models will have more expensive tires. Cost will vary depending on the vehicle model. Luxury vehicles like the Audi RS E-Tron GT typically have an expensive set of tires. Meanwhile, the relatively more affordable Nissan Leaf has a less expensive set.

EV tires can still have some disadvantages, though. First, it has yet to be determined whether its many advantages will reduce the tire’s lifespan. EV tires have a thread life of 30,000 to 40,000 miles, but an EV’s high torque and increased weight can accelerate wear. Another thing to consider is driving habits. Tires wear out much faster if the vehicle constantly accelerates and brakes hard often. Perhaps people’s opinions about these tires will become more common in the future once they’ve traveled many more miles using an EV.