EV Compatible Tires

They're now a frequent sight on roadways across the nation but that doesn't mean that electric vehicle maintenance and care has become common knowledge yet. Many of our EV customers come to us asking about EV specific tires and whether their vehicle requires them.

(Are you a California resident? Check out our blog on EVs and EV tires in California!)

WHAT DOES EV COMPATIBLE TIRES MEAN?

Most people probably are referring to tires specifically designed for electric vehicles when asking about "EV compatible tires."

We cover electric vehicles and EV tires pretty thoroughly in our blog, EV tires vs regular tires: what you need to know. We recommend giving it a look to help you understand your Tesla, Rivian or other electric vehicle.

The overall structure, shape and function of a non-EV tire is largely the same as an EV designed one. EV specific tires do integrate features that address significant performance differences of your electric vehicle. Your EV is heavier and delivers significantly more torque than a traditional gas-powered vehicle, for example.

Check out our EV buying guide to help you get started!

DO EVs NEED SPECIAL TIRES?

There are several "EV" tires on the market:

• Original Equipment (OE) tires that are developed specifically for that model. They frequently use efficiency-centric compounds and lower tread depths to maximize range.

  • They often include sound absorbing foam inner lining to lower road noise.

  • Typically, they are manufactured with more robust materials to handle additional torque and weight.

• EV specific tire models developed only with electric vehicles in mind.

  • Some EV tires are specially tuned for particular tire sizes to optimize their performance.

• "Hybrid" EV tires which were originally gas-powered vehicle tire models that may have been modified to handle the needs of your electric vehicle.

  • Some manufacturers have simply added EV specific badging to indicate it can handle your vehicle without including additional features.

  • They may offer higher load ranges than the same size in a non-EV tire to accommodate the additional weight of your battery.

Some tire manufacturers, such as Continental, don't include EV specific badging or models in their lineup because their tires are automatically engineered to handle the robust demands of your ride.

Electric vehicle owners are concerned primarily with range and efficiency, which is frequently why they purchase an EV in the first place. But better range isn't necessarily guaranteed from even EV specific tires. Many factors affect range, regardless of tire type, including:

• Rolling resistance

• Tire wear

• Weather/driving conditions

Each tire model will have a different rolling resistance, which affects efficiency (for both gas and electric vehicles).

Tire wear will also have a significant impact on your efficiency, as tires become more efficient as they wear down. This is because less tread is easier to rotate, saving energy.

The outdoor temperature, whether hot or cold, affects not only your electric battery but also your tire pressure. Tire pressure affects fuel economy and range.

Your OE tire, generally speaking, is going to be the best option for your vehicle because it was specifically chosen to perform for your vehicle, especially if range is your primary concern.

Do EV tires cost more?

Electric vehicle tires can cost a little more than a traditional tire.

They utilize specialized features tuned for electric vehicles like higher load ratings, noise muffling foam lining and tread to handle the high levels of torque generated.

Also, many electric vehicle tires are manufactured by premium tire brands such as Michelin, Continental and Goodyear, so their pricing will naturally be higher than a budget brand.

Do EV tires wear out faster?

Not exactly.

EV tires themselves do not wear out any faster than non-EV tires. An EV tire installed on an ICE (internal combustion engine i.e. a gas vehicle) would wear out just as fast as a non-EV specific tire model.

Tires wear faster when they're installed on electric vehicles because of the rigorous demands of its additional weight, nearly instant torque and change in driving habits. EV owners tend to quickly become accustomed to instant "go" of their vehicle so they tend to develop "lead foot."

Let's get you rolling

Deciding on whether an EV-specific tire is right for you can feel a little challenging. Feel free to ask us for help! Or you can use Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide, to help you choose. Within a minute or less, Treadwell gives you the same custom tire recommendations that we use in store.

Did you know that you can save some time by buying and booking online first? Customers who buy and book online wait less time in-store!

For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.