This is definitely worth knowing about electric car tires
Apr 17, 2024
Does the electric car only work with special tires? In short, the answer to the question is: no. But why does electric car tire exist if the e-car can run on tires for internal combustion engine vehicles too? We'll show you...
Most electric cars still use regular tires on the roads, but many brands already offer tires specifically designed for electric vehicles in their range.
It is a common misconception that special and expensive tires are needed for electric cars due to their weight. This is not true in the sense that most electric cars still run on tires made for internal combustion engine vehicles on the roads, and they can be used that way. However, it cannot be denied that tires specifically designed for electric vehicles increase the range and reduce driving noise. At the same time, these tires have an increased wet braking distance and a higher risk of aquaplaning, so it is worth considering individually which one you would like to use on your electric car.
What do the numbers say?
To answer the questions related to weight, let's take the best-selling electric car: the Tesla Model Y. Its base version is only 35 kilograms heavier than a BMW X3, which is an insignificant amount at this weight. Therefore, it does not require special tires just because of its weight.
Another myth is that regular tires wear out more quickly on electric cars and need to be replaced more often. However, in one of the Hungarian Tire Association's recent materials, the myths about torque have been disproven, as the e-cars' motors, as stated, "deliver their performance so evenly and can intervene so quickly in case of wheel slip that the electric car's tires do not wear out any more than those of a similarly powered gasoline car."
When it comes to range, there can indeed be noticeable differences in favor of electric tires, because a car cannot travel as far on a single charge with regular car tires. In the case of electric car tires focusing on consumption, the prices do not differ significantly from those of premium tire manufacturers, so it is not necessarily true that they would be more expensive.
Does the tire size matter?
Definitely yes, at least in terms of price. The same type of tire from the same manufacturer can be 3-4 times more expensive depending on the size if a special size is needed for the car. The legend of the high cost of electric car tires may also originate from this since if a special one (like a thin sausage tire) is needed, it indeed comes with a hefty price. After all, if a specific size is used by only one car type, its production will also be more expensive due to the smaller quantity.
Nowadays, premium electric car tires can be purchased for 50-60 thousand forints, which does not stand out from the pricing of established brands.
