You’ve seen plenty of electric sedans on the highway, but maybe you’ve already started seeing a couple EV pickups too.
The move into the world of trucks is the next logical step for auto manufacturers. Forbes reports that trucks are the most popular vehicle type, with the Ford F-Series being the nation’s most popular model based on 2022 sales.
And if commercial transport companies can make things work with electric semis and delivery trucks, then why not? Pickups are a great venture for electric power as they’re commonly cited as gas guzzling polluters.
EV TRUCK TIRES
There certainly are performance challenges when it comes to EV trucks, admittedly. How do you ensure the same towing, torque and tenacity of a gas or even diesel powered motor with the range limitations of a battery powered motor?
We talk about how EV tires are different from regular tires elsewhere, but it essentially boils down to: weight, road noise, torque and air pressure.
EVs are heavier than ICE vehicles and they create more torque, so they tend to wear out tires faster.
This is especially true with EV trucks because, by their nature, pickups are already much heavier than your typical sedan and require more torque for things like towing and hauling.
So too do pickup trucks require more air pressure in their tires, which will be even more important in EV applications as your PSI directly affects your fuel economy. And having the correct air pressure in general is a huge factor in tread life, safety, handling and performance.
And many truck drivers outfit their rides with aggressive all-terrain or mud terrain tires that cause more road noise than a highway-terrain or touring option. With a quieter electric motor, this road noise will be even more noticeable.
All this is to say: EV pickup truck drivers need to be aware of the importance of choosing and maintaining their EV tires.
Speaking of maintenance, we offer a suite of complimentary tire services, including flat tire repairs.
Luckily, because of the demands ICE pickup trucks have, many aftermarket pickup truck tires are actually perfect for your EV truck too! If you’re not sure which tires are best for you, start with Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide. In one minute or less, we’ll match you with the right tires for you, your vehicle and your commute.
Start with TreadwellCURRENT EV TRUCKS & TIRES
There are currently three EV trucks available on the market. But this is changing soon with the release of a handful of other models from top manufacturers, including Tesla and Chevy.
Ford F-150 Lightning
Unsurprisingly, one of the most popular electric pickup trucks is an EV version of the most popular trucks in history: the Ford F-150 Lightning. This all electric pickup truck gives you the iconic exterior of your typical Ford F-150 pickup with all the bells and whistles (and more) of an electric model.
Hailing it as a tech-forward move that’s built as tough as any other model, Ford claims that the Lightning is every bit as capable as the ICE F-150, while being more tech-feature rich. It comes with two battery pack options, a 98 kWh with an EPA rated range of 240 miles and 452 horsepower or a 131 kWh option with up to 320 miles of driving range and net 580 horsepower. The latter claims a towing capacity of 10,000 lbs.
And with 775lb.-feet of instant torque and weighing nearly 7,000lbs in certain trims, the Lightning needs seriously tough tires. Its OEM General Grabber HTS60 tires offer low rolling resistance, an all-season tread and a generous 50 to 65,000-mile warranty. Robust and with excellent handling in wet and dry conditions and boosted off-road capability, it’s a great all around pick.
Want another all-season option? Check out the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. With a performance-oriented tread, this tire offers dynamic handling to maintain its composure in extreme road conditions. With a long-lasting tread life, flashy white letter sidewall (if you so choose) and 50 to 70k-mile warranty, it’s an absolute treat.
But are you ready to take things off the beaten path? We recommend the Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain AT, an all-terrain tire with the tread to resist the high torque and off-road beating you can expect from this EV truck. With an aggressive shoulder, advanced on and off-road tread design and three-peak mountain snowflake rating, it’s ready for anything.
Want all-terrain action with a warranty? We like the Cooper Discoverer ATP II. Backed by a 60,000-mile warranty, it offers a durable (but quiet) tread pattern with tons of off-road benefits like stone ejector ledges. Customers like its on-road manners, all-terrain grip and towing capability!
Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T was actually the first battery-powered pickup truck to hit the market. This American start-up EV truck is lauded for its speed and acceleration of 60mph in only 3.3 seconds! Stylish, off-road capability and an impressive 328 EPA estimated (Rivian estimates up to 400) mile range, it’s a popular EV pickup truck.
The R1T comes in three different AWD drive systems with varying ranges and performance capabilities with anywhere from 600 to 800+ horsepower and up to 900 ft lbs torque. The Quad Motor AWD option is the most kitted out with towing (up to 11,000lbs), all-terrain, rally and other high performance applications.
For their OE tires, Rivian worked directly with Pirelli to customize specific tires to suit Rivian’s exacting specifications. Depending on whether you chose an all-season wheel and tire option or an all-terrain one, your R1T will come equipped with either the Scorpion Verde All Season, Scorpion Zero All Season or Scorpion All Terrain tire option.
Want to maintain your R1T’s OE ride? These options are fantastic. But if you wish to explore more rugged terrains, we got you!
Check out the big bad daddy of off-roading for your R1T with the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2. This immensely popular off-road tire includes a 50k-mile warranty, a severe weather rating and hit-em-hard tread that handles rocks, mud and snow like a champ. It’s beefy enough to tango off-road while maintaining its structural integrity for on-road performance, even under the R1T’s 8,500 lb weight.
If you want something with more of an off and on-road blended tread, try the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W. It prioritizes wear, wet and winter performance while delivering admirable off-road skill. Its silica-enhanced tread compound resists wear and does well in most conditions, while the heat diffuser in the lower sidewall keeps your tire at a safe temp, resisting deformation and damage—perfect for your hefty R1T.
Quiet on road and capable off it, customers love the AT3W. And the severe weather rating is a real confidence booster in inclement weather. And peep the 55k-mile warranty!
GMC Hummer EV
As perhaps the originator of the gas guzzling big truck trope of the early 00’s, it’s fitting that GMC sought to turn this model into an EV. While the GMC Hummer EV comes in pickup or SUV variants, we’re focusing on the pickup version.
With a 1,000hp tri-motor that flings itself to 60mph in 3.3 seconds, this is a lot of vehicle. Its Extract mode raises the truck nearly 16 inches off the ground and notably uses a four-wheel steering system to engage in Crab Walk mode so you can drive diagonally—whether around off-road obstacles or into tight parking spots!
At 9,000 lbs, the Hummer EV is heavier than other EV trucks, and it has a smaller 7,500-pound towing capacity to boot. But it can travel 329 miles with a full charge on its 212.7kWh battery (the EV3X is GM-estimated to up to 355 miles). And the up to 11,500 lb-ft of torque is absolutely shocking.
Now, let's talk tires. During the initial reveal, GMC showcased the Hummer EV with a set of BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3s.
But off the lot, it rolls on a set of Goodyear Wrangler Territory MTs which has a stylized sidewall and tread pattern for an aggressive off-road look. This mud-terrain tire features an open tread design for adhesive grip and mud cleaning capabilities. The wrap-around shoulder blocks power you through both deep mud and snow. And it’s optimized with a sequence pitch pattern so when you’re on the road you can enjoy a (relatively) quiet ride.
Everything about the Hummer EV screams off-road adventure. So if you’re replacing the OE tire you can’t go wrong with the BFG KO2 (see our picks for the Rivian), the Yokohama Geolandar MT G003 or the Cooper Discoverer STT PRO.
The Yokohama includes a 45k-mile warranty, severe weather designation and a rugged construction to support your Hummer EV. It can take on brutal off-road terrain while minding its manners on the pavement. You’ll also love the eye-catching reptilian carcass!
The Cooper is an M+S rated tire that offers unprecedented toughness via Cooper’s proprietary Armor-Tek3, a unique 3-ply construction that reduces weak points in your tire’s sidewall. Mud, sand and rocks clear easily from this tire’s tread, while alternating shoulder lugs grip in mud and sand. On road stability? No problem with this tire’s 3-2 block pattern.
Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla’s website claims that the Cybertruck will have, “Better utility than a truck with more performance than a sports car.”
With an aesthetic that screams “Mars!” the Cybertruck has been a long awaited model. Tesla claims the “exoskeleton” is constructed from ultra-hard 30x cold-rolled stainless steel skin with Tesla armor glass. This durable shell should offer max passenger protection, reduce denting and long-term corrosion. “Repairs are simple and quick,” their website says.
It comes in three trims (Cyberbeast, All-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive) although the rear-wheel drive option won’t be available till 2025.
Advertising makes a big show about this truck’s versatility, both for passenger capacity (5 passengers), storage (67 lockable cubic feet) and payload (5,500 lbs). Updated stats include an 11,000lb max towing capacity, 340 mile estimated range (depending on trim) and 2.6 seconds from zero to 60mph. If the advertising is to be believed, this truck may be the perfect rig for anything from adventuring to jobsite performance and cruising.
We initially heard the Cybertruck would have 18 inch wheels with OE tires supplied from Goodyear. We now know this truck rolls out on 285/65R20 bespoke Goodyear Wrangler Territory RT with SoundComfort tires, utilizing a unique 2-piece removable aerocap system. This removable cap will give you a little boost with efficiency but can be removed for aesthetics (or off-roading) without significant reduction in efficiency. The choice to use a rugged-terrain tire is a good one, as it combines the extreme utility and performance of a mud terrain tire with the better on-road manners of an all-terrain.
The bespoke Wrangler Territory RT utilizes an interesting tread and sidewall pattern, with heavily (may we say aggressively?) scalloped sidewall, zig-zag circumferential grooves and staggered siping.
FUTURE EV TRUCKS
We know now that the future is definitely electric. And while there aren’t many EV pickup trucks on the road today, there are more on the way. That’s why we’re excited to explore some exciting new EV trucks and speculate about their (potential) tires!
Chevy Silverado EV
While the standard Chevy Silverado 1500 is already an impressive and popular pickup, Chevy plans to break barriers with their estimated specs of the Chevy Silverado EV.
The estimated range on this baby (on a full charge) is 400 miles with up to 10,000lbs max towing capacity. Towing will be a breeze with up to 14 available camera views, too. You can reach 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds and up to 785 lb-ft of torque and 754 hp with the Wide Open Watts feature.
The Silverado EV comes with a huge suite of available options to make it work for you and your needs, including a multi-flex midgate with pass-through to extend your standard bed even further.
Another option? 24 inch aluminum wheels! The Silverado EV is the first production vehicle rolling out on 24 inch rims. Check out our stock of aftermarket 24 inch wheels for some fresh ideas!
The Silverado EV has 275/50R24 tires (which are 35s) for the RST model, which seem to be Michelin branded, possibly the Defender 2. Marketing materials from Chevy aren’t forthcoming on which kind of tire, but if it is the Defender 2, we won’t be surprised. It offers a lengthy 80k-mile warranty with a huge range of available sizes, a long-lived tread and impressive wet and dry traction.
The only other trim level confirmed is the Work Truck (WT) option, which uses 265/50R24 sizing. We haven’t been able to get any information on what tires come with it but from what we can see from advertising, it’ll be an all-terrain type tire with an aggressive tread.
GMC Sierra EV
With Chevy getting in on the EV action, it’s no surprise that GMC looks as though it’s taking all the best features from other electric trucks (capacity, range, performance), ramping them up and rolling it all into the GMC Sierra EV.
It boasts a ten foot ten inch expandable truck bed with a battery range of 400 miles on a full charge. In max power mode, GMC says it’ll generate 785 lb-ft of torque with 754hp. Plus, with its 800V Public DC Fast Charging, you can recharge 100 miles in approximately 10 minutes (so no need to wait forever at the charger while on the road)!
Did we mention the 4-wheel steer with crabwalk feature? The Super Cruise diver-assistance tech is also going to be a hands-free must-try. GMC is also reporting that it can reach 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds and has a max trailer of 9,500lbs.
GMC includes two trims for the EV: AT4 and the Denali. The AT4 option will include 18 inch wheels and roll on a set of 35 inch tires (giving the truck an additional 2 inches of clearance). The Denali will have 22 inch wheels on 33 inch tires but you can upgrade to 24 inch wheels with 35 inch tires.
RAM 1500 REV
RAM claims that the 1500 REV is going to revolutionize the truck industry.
The 1500 REV promises a standard of 350 mile battery range with an upgraded battery pack of 500 miles. With a max payload of 2,700 lbs and a max towing capacity of 14,000 lbs, it isn’t that far behind the Cybertruck’s stats in this arena.
It can launch up to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and ford up to 24 inches of water with 654 horsepower and 620 lbs-ft of torque. The frunk (front trunk) offers 15 cubic feet of handy storage space with waterproof protection. Plus you have the 5’7” truck bed with a large crew cab.
The New York International Auto Show revealed that it will come with 22 inch aluminum wheels with 275/50R22 Pirelli Scorpion All Season 3 tires, perfect for extended treadwear and reduced noise.
RAM’s website promises the 1500 REV will be available late 2024.
AFTERMARKET EV TRUCK TIRES
While there are some great electric pickup trucks currently available, and many more great options to come, there aren’t any designated aftermarket “EV truck tires”—as of yet.
You can check out our picks of the best tires for electric vehicles but you’ll find the EV-specific tire options are slim for trucks and even SUVs. That’s not a bad thing, because plenty of existing truck tires offer the high degree specs demanded by electric vehicles. Plus, LT tires often have the efficiency and load stability that is required for heavier EV battery packs.
We’ve already mentioned the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 and the BFG TA KO2 (soon to be KO3) previously, so we won’t repeat them.
But we’ve outlined some other aftermarket tire options that you can consider for your EV truck!
Bridgestone Dueler LX
The Bridgestone Dueler LX is an all-season tire with a 50-70k mile warranty and a loyal customer following.
Its wear-resistant silica enhanced tread compound ensures excellent performance, season after season. The full depth 3D interlocking sipe system helps stabilize your tire’s tread for controlled handling while doubling as hundreds of biting edges for better grip in rain and light winter conditions.
Want all-season grip and a luxe ride? The Dueler LX is a good option for you. Its five-rib tread pattern maintains near constant road contact for confident grip in dry weather and controlled handling at highway speeds.
With a max load carrying capacity of nearly 3,200 lbs, this tire offers a strong, comfortable and confident ride for your EV truck.
Nitto Ridge Grappler
The Nitto Ridge Grappler is an all-terrain tire much loved in the off-roading community for its wicked tread design and trail-ruling capability.
The Ridge Grappler offers reasonable on-road comfort, a boon for an all-terrain tire. A reinforced block foundation stabilizes the treadblocks for a responsive, comfortable driving experience on paved roads.
And to maintain a harmonious drive, the variable pitch tread pattern offers a smooth and quiet highway ride. It boasts several wet and inclement weather features like shoulder and lateral Z grooves for clearing mud and offering biting edges for grip.
Tough enough to handle the roughest off-road terrain, the Ridge Grappler can handle the heft and torque of your EV truck.
The realm of electric vehicles and tires is still new and constantly growing. With new truck models and EV specific tires being developed constantly, we expect it to be an increasingly growing part of Discount Tire. Check back here periodically for new updates on the best tires for your EV truck.
We know this is a lot to think about! If you need help making a decision, feel free to give us a ring, stop by or make an appointment. Well get you taken care of!
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!
Want to see recommendations for you and your vehicle on the Discount Tire blog? Fill out this form!