Electric vehicles are completely different machines from typical internal combustion vehicles. This makes us wonder whether or not these EVs need specific tires.
EVs are made to offer zero tailpipe emissions and use nothing more than electricity for the drive. These electric models are set up completely differently from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. Before we get into the tire conversation and answer that question, we’ll take a look at the history of EVs and where we are now. This will give us a better idea of how to answer the initial question.
Early EVs Were Cute, Laughable, and a Fad; Mostly
Automakers that produced gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles didn’t quite know what to do with the electric battery pack of electric vehicles at first. Instead of creating what we see today, automakers followed the same path they had been on with hybrid and PHEV models. For these two fuel-sipping types of cars, the electric battery was placed in either the trunk or under the rear seats. Vehicles with this battery pack under the seats offered the entire trunk to the consumer, but many took up trunk space with the battery pack in the storage area of the car.
The Battery Pack Threw Off the Weight Distribution
From early on, it became well established that EV batteries would be heavy. These heavy items changed the weight balance of many cars. The early EV models had smaller batteries than what we have today, which didn’t change the weight too much. Thankfully, one automaker produced only electric cars and figured out the best place for the batteries. This automaker is Tesla. This company was the first to put the entire battery pack in the floor of an EV, which worked great. Doing this offered a low center of gravity and an even weight distribution.
Today’s EV Batteries Wouldn’t Fit in the Trunk
Batteries in electric vehicles have grown to give us longer driving ranges, more power, and faster charging times. Nearly every EV you see today has the battery pack in the floor. While placing them here makes perfect sense, these larger batteries added a lot of weight to these cars compared to their gasoline counterparts. This extra weight means specific tires are necessary for electric vehicles to drive properly. While this does answer the basic part of the question, let’s explore what causes the need for these tires.
The Tires Are Different
The tires you see on electric vehicles look the same as those on regular models powered by internal combustion engines. While these tires look the same, there are some distinct differences between them. Tires used on EV models tend to have less tread to improve the driving range and decrease the noise while driving. EV tires tend to wear out faster than regular tires due to the added weight of the vehicle.
Most of the time, we hear electric vehicles don’t require as much maintenance and don’t have as many moving parts as gasoline models, but the tires on EVs wear out faster. This is one area where the cost of maintenance for an EV is greater than that of a traditional vehicle.
Tires Have Load Ratings and EVs Have a Special Rating
The load rating of tires tells you how much weight those tires can handle. This isn’t something most of us think about, but when we have new tires put on our vehicles, the mechanic does consider this factor. The most common load ratings are C, D, and E for consumer vehicles, but a new load rating is part of the mix. This rating is called HL, which stands for “high-load” capacity. These tires are made to handle heavier loads while using traditional tire pressures. This makes them ideal for EVs, and they are the specific tires desired for these heavier vehicles.
EVs Have More Torque
The fact that EVs offer instant torque as soon as you hit the accelerator means you need tires that can handle that power right away. We love the instant torque and acceleration of an EV, but that does mean specific tires are required to ensure the vehicle can perform properly. These EV-rated tires get the job done and give us the performance desired from these electric machines.
The Wrong Tires Can Rob Your Driving Range
If you have the wrong tires put on your EV, you’ll know. There will be some signs, but one of the most telling is the driving range. One of the most important aspects of driving an electric vehicle is the driving range offered. EV-rated tires are made to potentially increase the driving range while handling the extra weight. Tires made for electric vehicles have special tread patterns to ensure they give you the maximum driving range when you get behind the wheel of your EV.
The Quietness You Expect Requires Specific Tires
The powertrain of an electric vehicle makes almost no noise at all, but if you have the wrong tires, you could be in for a noisy ride. That’s right, EV-rated tires are not only made to protect the driving range, handle the torque, and support the weight of an EV, but they also help provide a more comfortable and quiet ride. This might be the most important factor. Your comfort is one of the most memorable parts of your time in any vehicle. If you enjoy the ride and have a quiet cabin to enjoy, you’ll remember driving that vehicle fondly.
Not Every Tire is Rated for Your Electric Vehicle
EVs are still relatively new in the automotive market, especially those capable of offering 300 miles of driving range or more. The best way to ensure you’ve got the right tires on your electric vehicle is to head to the dealership where you bought the vehicle when you need tires. With the tires that fit your EV the right way, you can enjoy the comfortable and quiet ride, take advantage of the torque offered, and know that your tires are rated to handle the weight, giving you the longest driving range possible.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.
