Electric Jeep Wrangler Tires - Our Guide

By: Discount Tire

For those unfamiliar, the Jeep Wrangler “Magneto” is the new EV concept of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, pairing a 285 horsepower electric motor with an 800 volt four-pack battery system. (Jeep/Stellantis has been mum on the actual mileage range but based on the electrical system specs, we can guess it’s significant.)

The “Magneto” electric Jeep isn’t to be confused with the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) Jeep Wrangler, which was made available for purchase in March 2021. PHEVs use an electric motor, which requires recharging but also uses gasoline fuel and an internal combustion engine. They’re not fully electric vehicles.

You might assume that EVs need different tires than gas powered vehicles; and you’d be mostly correct. In short: EV tires need to have more durable sidewalls (those battery packs weigh a ton), have lower rolling resistance (to maximize battery range and efficiency) and be strong enough to withstand the crazy, near-instant torque EVs can bring.

But what about EVs that aren’t your typical commuter? We all know about the GMC Hummer EV and now with the announcement of the Jeep Magneto, we have to ask: Will tires (and the vehicle itself) be able to withstand the rigors of the trail given the heavier weight of EVs?

There’s also been a lot of talk about the Magneto rolling out on 35-inch tires, but nothing has been confirmed yet. While this might be the OE tire size, a lot can change by the time Magnetos are set loose on the public. We’re not expecting to see a proper production model until late 2021 or early 2022. That said, a 35-inch MT is a great starting point!

Whether EV-specific tires will be able to handle off-roading remains to be seen, but we at least know that current all-terrain and mud tires can handle the challenges of the unknown. Some classic Jeep Wrangler off-roading tires are still tough enough to keep up!

Our Jeep Magneto EV Tire Picks

Falken Wildpeak M/T01

First, we need to point out that the tires demonstrated in the marketing shots of the Magneto seem to feature the Falken Wildpeak M/T01, a powerhouse of a mud tire. With Falken’s DURASPEC Sidewall tech paired with an additional two high-ply turn ups, this tire is meant to resist unexpected attacks on your tires in rough country. Its heat diffuser technology also is a boon to EVs because it helps keep the tire cool while hauling a heavy load or towing, which lends itself nicely to the added weight of the EV’s battery system.

For existing traditional tires that may be able to withstand the weight of the Magneto and also perform off-road, we have to turn to our usual top contenders for off-road mayhem.

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar

A potential aftermarket option that we’re banking on is the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar. It’s engineered with extreme off-road performance in mind and has the technology to keep it going. Using the DuPont™ Kevlar reinforced sidewalls, it promises a 35% increase in puncture resistance. Its wraparound tread and silica rubber compound give aggressive traction under extreme conditions. Perfect for the Magneto that’s out to push the limits.

BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3

You also can’t forget the BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3—the definition of “tough.” Utilizing both its durable sidewall design and Traction Armor Sidewall Sculpture, it resists sidewall splitting, tears and punctures on even the harshest trails. Its tread pattern can only be called aggressive, and the Linear Flex Zone rolls over obstacles for amazing traction in aired down driving situations.

You might notice each of these picks are off-road tires; specifically mud terrain tires. The mud tires above were chosen for the Magneto to accommodate the extra weight of an EV combined with excellent off-roading performance to match the look of the Wrangler platform.

But, mud tires also tend to not be as fuel efficient as all-terrain tires because they have greater rolling resistance and their exaggerated, extremely high-void tread grips every little thing on the road. That means it requires more energy to rotate these tires, reducing your battery range.

On the other hand, many all-terrain tires are built with the same LT construction to handle heavy loads, but they also have slightly less aggressive tread patterns for less rolling resistance. They provide the same weight support without compromising on-road comfort or the ability to rock the trail.

If you want to go off-road while keeping your battery range intact, a set of AT tires may be the route for your Jeep EV.

Goodyear UltraTerrain AT

If you’re a fan of Goodyear tires and want an all-terrain option for your Jeep Wrangler Magneto, consider the Goodyear UltraTerrain AT for its unyielding protective features like a long-lasting durable tread compound to resist chunking and keeping weak points minimalized. Punctures and damage typical in off-roading are resisted via aggressive shoulder lugs. It’s also quiet, self-cleaning and has excellent traction.

Falken Wildpeak A/T3W

Since the marketing materials model a Falken Wildpeak series mud tire, we feel it’s appropriate to suggest the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, which prioritizes wet performance (including winter weather) and wear. It gives you extreme off-road durability with step down features and support ramps that stabilize the tread pattern and give resistance to stone drilling. Like the M/T01 tires that seem to come on the Magneto (we guess), they also use a heat diffuser to keep the internal temperatures at safe ranges and maintain sidewall integrity.

With the reveal of the Jeep Wrangler Magneto so fresh, undoubtedly we’ll see more specs and info released in due time. And of course with electric vehicles being such a new presence on the road and just beginning to be explored off-road, we can only speculate what the future will bring.

If all this hype about the Jeep EV has gotten you thinking about tires, especially for your current Jeep Wrangler, then check out what we’ve got available (hint: we have everything) for your rig. You can easily find a location near you; we’ll help you find the right tire for your ride!

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