I’m sure you’ve heard EV tires are more expensive. But what is so different about EV tires and why are they more expensive?
Tire manufacturers have always been improving tires. Tires are the only thing in between your vehicle and the road when driving. And tires, even for ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles help with road noise and fuel efficiency.
Electric vehicles present different challenges for tires that aren’t the same for ICE vehicles though. So it would make sense that EV tires are different and more robust.
The main things that are different for EVs are: heavier vehicle, faster acceleration, road noise, and range.
Heavier Vehicle
EVs are 20-30% heavier than their ICE counterparts. This weight difference creates extra pressure on the tires.
The center of gravity is also different on an EV. Batteries tend to sit near the rear axle, and this is the heaviest point. Where ICE vehicles tend to be front-heavy, since that’s where the engine is placed.
This shifted center of gravity also affects the acceleration and braking distance. EV tires have reinforced sidewalls and stronger internal structures to handle the weight without compromising safety or performance.
Tires now have a High Load or ‘HL’ designation. These tires can handle higher air pressure, which allows them to bear more weight, without increasing the size of the tire.
Faster Acceleration
If you’ve ever driven an EV you know that they can be extremely fun to drive. The instant acceleration can make for a thrilling driving experience, but it also comes with downsides for the tires.
EVs can deliver high torque even at low speeds. Torque is the rotational force generated by a motor, the torque turns the tires and propels the car forward.
In ICE vehicles, certain rotations per minute (RPM) are needed for maximum torque, meaning the car has to already be moving to deliver more power. EVs, on the other hand, can deliver maximum torque even when stopped. This is due to EVs having fewer mechanical components that impede the transfer of power to the wheels.
The greater torque means that tires can wear much more quickly. And also that the tires need to be ‘stickier’ in order to grip the road better during fast acceleration.
EV tires are made slightly larger than conventional tires. They also have different ribbing patterns and specialized rubber compounds. All this helps to create a longer lasting tire with less slippage.
Road Noise
EVs have very little road noise compared to their ICE counterparts. In an ICE vehicle, there is still the noise of the engine. It might not be as noticeable, but it’s still there and can help mask some of the road noise.
EV motors are silent. This means that any road noise will be much louder. EVs are specially designed to help deadend the sounds from the road.
But EV tires help to limit that noise even more. They are specially designed with foam or special silica inside the tire cavity to eliminate tire noise.
Range
Friction from the tire rolling over the pavement can zap up a lot of energy. Since EVs are so efficient, with little energy being wasted compared to ICE vehicles, rolling resistance becomes important.
Lower rolling resistance (LRR) makes for better efficiency which translates into longer ranges. The less energy lost to friction the more energy available for range.
It’s extra important to maintain tire pressure, as lower tire pressure can cause extra friction increasing rolling resistance. This increased rolling resistance will drain the battery faster leading to lower ranges.
Recap
EV tires are specially designed for the differences between EV and ICE vehicles. EVs are heavier and have instant torque. Road noise is also more noticeable and range is important.
Tire manufacturers have designed special tires to deal with all of these factors. Creating tires with lower rolling resistance designed of special materials to mitigate weight, torque, and road noise.
Check out our available selection of EVs at CommercialEVs.com and as always please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
FAQs
Can I put ICE tires on my EV?
You can, but why would you? Any savings that would come from the price of the tire would be wasted in charging costs and tire replacements.. The vehicle won’t get as much range and the ICE tires will wear out considerably faster.
Can I put EV tires on an ICE vehicle?
No, the extra expense of the tires won’t be worth it for vehicle performance. It will also be a stiffer ride. but manufactures are taking what they’ve learned in creating EV tires and creating ICE tires with lower rolling resistance leading to better fuel consumption. So the next time you buy ICE vehicle tires you might benefit from some of the EV advancements.
How can I extend the life of EV tires?
Extend the life of EV tires by regularly checking tire pressure and rotating them. Also, avoid unnecessary quick acceleration and aggressive driving.
