Choosing Electric Car Tires | Top Picks & Features
Electric and hybrid vehicles are overtaking internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Globally, there is a movement to phase out ICE vehicles and replace them with electric vehicles (EVs). It is indeed a much-needed step to help fight climate change and reduce pollution. But the automotive sector needs to understand that EVs cannot function on their own. They need complementary infrastructure such as charging stations. Additionally, they also require high-tech tires to ensure EVs don’t hit a snag. Now, this raises the question of whether Tesla requires special tires.
Do you Need Special Tyres for Electric Vehicles?
The EVs don’t require tires that are brimming with new technology. Instead, your everyday tyres with a few tweaks are enough to handle EVs like Tesla. However, it is the EV and its overall design, which determines the tweaks. In some cases, the tire manufacturer might have to do minor changes. In the case of Tesla, we can assure you that nothing will be minor. A Tesla is a computer on wheels. For best performance, the tires need to be equally high-tech. So, it can be said that EVs require special tires.
Why Tesla & Other EVs Need Different Tires
One can argue that why does a Tesla or any other EV need a different set of tires. After all, they are only automobiles, just like the other ones. The only difference being the electric battery. Well, it is primarily because of the electric battery that Tesla needs a different set of tires. It does not mean that other technologies do not play a role. It is just that the electric battery plays a significant role.
Compared to ICE vehicles, electric technology reduces:
- Noise
- Emissions
- Maintenance Cost
- Operating Cost
Electric engines considerably improve acceleration. However, there is a downside to EVs, especially for the tires. The electric batteries are quite heavy. It puts additional stress on the tires, causing them to wear out prematurely. Secondly, improved acceleration does not spare the tires either. Due to rapid acceleration, the tires are exposed to too much stress.
Thirdly, increased weight increases the braking distance. We all know that the braking distance is often the difference between life and death. Hence, it needs to be as minimal as possible. Lastly, increased weight and instant acceleration mean that the tires need to have low rolling resistance. Otherwise, they will not be able to match the performance of a Tesla or any other EV for that matter.
Things to Consider Before Buying Tires for the Tesla
Considering the above information, one needs to keep in mind numerous things while buying tires for a Tesla or any other EV.
Load Index
As mentioned earlier, EVs are much heavier than the standard ICE vehicles. Some reports say that EVs are up to 30% heavier than ICE cars. So, the first thing that a tire buyer must keep in mind is the load index. Car owners must opt for tires that have a higher load index. Otherwise, they might burst due to overloading. You can check with the tire shop or the car owner’s manual to know the recommended load index.
Rolling Resistance
The second thing one needs to keep in mind is the tyre's rolling resistance. Suppose you opt for tires that have higher rolling resistance. In that case, you can forget about experiencing the unparalleled acceleration of the Tesla or any other EV. High rolling resistance will just make it difficult for the car to achieve speed. Hence, always opt for tires that have low rolling resistance. You can search online for such tires or ask the tire shop. With the world moving towards EVs, low rolling resistance tires are now becoming quite common.
Traction
Another thing that one must keep in mind while buying new tires for a Tesla is the traction. The increased acceleration and long braking distances demand tires that have the best traction. Otherwise, one can easily lose control of Tesla. That's something that you must avoid at all times because it is not easy to repair a Tesla.
Tire Noise
EVs are virtually noise-free. Hence, it is natural to expect that EV owners would want tires that produce minimal noise, right? So, do check a tire's noise level before buying them. If you are unsure, ask the salesperson regarding the tire's noise levels, or you can search about them online. Manufacturers like Continental are using their ContiSilent™ technology in EV tires to reduce the noise.
While car experts might mention a few other things while buying tires for an EV, the above three carry the most importance. So, always pay attention to them.
Trade-Off
When buying tires for a Tesla, you need to understand that the technology is not so advanced at the moment. As a result, you will have to select between performance and range. Performance refers to the tire's braking distance, acceleration, traction, sound, and other aspects. The range refers to how far you can drive with the tires. There are tires that extend the range of the Tesla while compromising on certain aspects of the performance. Currently, no tire offers the best of both. So, as an EV owner, it is you who must decide which tire you require.
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It is our job to guide our customers towards the best possible choice. When it comes to Tesla or EV tires, we recommend that you do very little experimentation. Instead, replace the worn-out tires with the same ones. EV manufacturers like Tesla and Volkswagen undertake considerable research and invest significant resources to determine their car models' appropriate original equipment. It is best to act on their research and stick with the original equipment tires. They can help you get the best out of your Tesla or any other EV.
Electric Vehicle Tire Maintenance
Just like the other tires, EV tires also require maintenance. Check the air pressure regularly and ensure that it is on the recommended level. Nearly every EV comes with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Hence, you do not need to manually check the air pressure as the TPMS will alert the driver when there's a change in the recommended air pressure.
Secondly, visually inspect the tire for cracks and premature wear. If the tire shows signs of either, replace them right away or see if they can be repaired. Check our article on when can a tire be repaired and when it must be replaced. Rotate the tires at regular intervals for improved durability. Lastly, if they are misaligned, opt for wheel alignment right away.
Top Electric Vehicle Tire Brands
Previously, EVs were confined to a handful of companies. So, EV tires were expensive and hard to come by. However, times have changed. There is a global movement to move towards EVs. Hence, nearly every tire manufacturer is now producing tires for EVs. You can easily find EV tires online or at your local tire shop. Some of the reliable EV tire brands are:
Wrap Up
This concludes our article. We have tried to produce a comprehensive blog post on the various aspects of EV tires. If you feel that anything is missing or incorrect, feel free to let us know. Thank You. We again request our customers to seek professional guidance before replacing tires. Otherwise, you might end up with tires that are incompatible with your EV.
