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Do Electric Vehicles Need Specific EV Tyres?
23/03/2022James Harding
Help and Advice
There is nothing more satisfying than driving an electric car... so I am told. The power is right there at your fingertips (or is it foot-tips?), making any journey fun and exciting - unless stuck in traffic.
However, for many new owners, the question will inevitably come - ‘where did I put my keys?’
Also - ‘does an electric vehicle require specific EV tyres?’
As with any vehicle, be it petrol, diesel, hybrid, horse-cart or electric – when choosing new tyres, there are many factors to consider. Or not. It depends how much you care. A lot, I would hope - as tyres are very important to your and others safety.
Choosing New EV Tyres
If you're thinking of switching to electric vehicles, then it's worth knowing which types of EV tyre are most suitable for them.
At present, in terms of the law, you can put any road worthy tyres that correctly fit on an EV.
However, due to the unique traits of an EV an increasing volume of tyre brands are working with car manufacturers to meet the needs of electric cars.
The difference between EV tyres and ‘normal’ tyres?
First and foremost, what makes EV tyres differ from the more standard counterparts, is their ability to shoot arcs of lightening from their tread.
No... wait, that’s not right. That may have been a dream.
For the purposes of legality, I need to point out that EV tyres do not fire electric bolts... that would be silly. But cool.
Anyway, the basic requirements of a tyre fitted to an electric vehicle are the same of a petrol or diesel.
However, there are some quite specific traits to which they have been adjusted to provide an optimum performance:
Aerodynamics. How far an EV can get on their battery power is something that is often discussed by all and sundry when the topic of electric cars rears its head. Even if the person has no interest. It’s a knee-jerk reaction. Like commenting on the weather. As such, getting the best range for an EVs is very important.
Rolling resistance. This goes hand in hand with Aerodynamics. They’re well-acquainted. Rolling resistance is an important factor for all tyres. With tyres designed for EVs, it takes on extra prevalence – as the need to reduce the level of energy required to roll the tyre must be low. The higher the rolling resistance, the greater the drag and therefore the shorter the range.
Durability. Typically, an EV is heavier than a conventional vehicle - due to the weight of the batteries used to power the car. As the years go by, and technology improves this is becoming less of a factor, but at present, the tyres must be able to withstand this extra load and therefore wear rates.
Noise. EVs are generally much quieter than the combustion crew (that’s the new term for petrol and diesel, spread the word). As such tyre noise takes on greater significance.
Torque. An EV produces its maximum torque from standing, so getting the max acceleration from an EV can be simply achieved by keeping your pedal to the metal – if you will allow me to go retro and cheesy. That power can be detrimental though as the tyres can be put under tremendous strain – causing faster wear.
Given the above points, tyre manufacturers and car manufacturers have for some time been working with one another to create tyres that are either bespoke for electric vehicles or are capable of being fitted to both petrol/diesel cars and electric cars.
In terms of tyres designed for EVs, there are several available on the market now. Including but not limited to:
Deciding which tyres are best for your EV
If you are thinking about switching to electric-powered transportation or, already own one, you may be trying to figure out which tyres are best for electric vehicles.
Well... let me give you some things to consider (which you may already be considering, but it’s the purpose of this article, so play along):
How often will I drive my electric car? - This is always the first question on people's lips when they think of buying (or switching to electric cars).
How far will I be driving my electric car on average? - The electric car tyre choice depends on how far you will be traveling. If it's just the commute into town - then a electric vehicle tyre that suits this need might do, but if your journey takes you further from home then you'll need a set of electric vehicle tyres with greater durability. Perhaps XL rated (XL stands for extra load – so it should maybe be EL by the rules of words, but that’s not how most technical terms play ball).
What kind of surfaces do you drive on mostly? - Electric vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. From small city cars to full-on 4-wheel drives. But all are designed to get around easily and smoothly. You can find electric car tyres that are perfect for all kinds of terrains, including snow and mud!
Do I want any additional features? - Modern technology means there are a lot more features involved in electric car tyres than ever before. From puncture protection to steering wheel spin reduction electric vehicle tyres are getting better by the day.
Need New EV Tyres?
At Blackcircles.com we stock a wide range of tyres for a multitude of different vehicles. So, if you need a new set of tyres, simply enter your registration number into our search tool and you will be able to find all the tyres we currently stock that fit your vehicle.