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Tyres > Help > Tyres Help > Why do electric car tyres wear faster?
Yes, tyres on electric vehicles generally wear faster than those on similarly sized petrol or diesel cars. Michelin estimates that EVs can wear through tyres up to 20% quicker, largely down to extra weight and instant torque.
The battery pack in an electric car adds a significant amount of weight. Research from Emissions Analytics suggests that for every extra 450kg added to a car's kerb weight, tyre wear increases by around 20%. A typical family-sized EV can weigh several hundred kilograms more than its petrol equivalent, so this adds up quickly.
Electric motors deliver their full torque the instant you press the accelerator, rather than building up gradually like a petrol or diesel engine. This puts a sudden extra load through the tread, particularly on the front (or rear, on rear-wheel-drive EVs) tyres.
Regenerative braking, which most EVs use to recover energy when you slow down, also puts more repeated strain on the tyres than traditional braking.
Fitting tyres designed for EVs, rather than standard tyres, can help offset a lot of this extra wear thanks to reinforced construction and wear-resistant compounds. Keeping tyres correctly inflated, having your wheels aligned regularly, and rotating tyres front to back can also help even out wear and extend tyre life.