Why do EVs need EV tires?

Why do EVs need EV tires?

EVs have a few major factors working against their tires that you don't see as much in their gasoline-powered counterparts.

Ten years ago, you didn’t see many EV tires on the market, but with how popular EVs have become recently, most major tire companies today have found the time has come to start offering their own EV tire products. But why? What’s the point?

Well, it makes sense when you think about it. EVs have two major factors working against their tires: Weight and torque.

You’ll find most EVs are a bit heavier than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Hey, batteries are heavy; the industry’s working on that. But a heavier load translates into faster tire wear.

To compensate for this, tire companies go out of their way to use more robust, stronger building materials to manufacture these tires.

These heavier vehicles typically have more mass than their ICE counterparts as well. More mass means increased inertia, and this translates to a longer braking distance. So, look to the tread and you’ll find tire manufacturers are often concerned about road grip as well in these EV tires.

Next is torque, and in EVs it’s near-instant. More torque means higher tire wear.

As a result, tire manufacturers keep a close eye on the rubber compounds they’re using in these tires, making sure they’re up to snuff. The goal is a smooth, low-impact ride with as little rolling resistance as possible. This not only makes tires longer lasting and more efficient, but also delivers the greatest possible range on a single charge.

Oh yeah, there’s one more issue to worry about in EVs too – noise! Electric cars are very quiet in relation to their gasoline-powered counterparts, so tire noise is going to be extremely obvious to passengers. Talking tires, manufacturers typically revisit tire compounding and construction as well, to deliver the most silent experience possible.

My name’s David Sickels, and this is The EV Impact Show. See you next time.

Want more EV Impact Show? Click here.

You May Also Like

AMN Drivetime: Continental Tire’s Travis Roffler

Hear Roffler discuss his start in the industry and the passion for automotive that led to his career.

AMN Drivetime Roffler Continental Tire

For many in this industry, the automotive aftermarket is in their blood. They grew up in the business, whether it was wrenching in the summers in high school or hanging out with their parents at their place of work. This was the case for Travis Roffler, who has been the director of marketing of Continental Tire the Americas for almost 18 years and is a tire guy through and through.

How many more miles of EV range can your tires give you?

The right tire could offer an EV as much as a 10% boost in range… but there’s more to this story.

Amped-michelin-1400
Mining CEO explains tungsten’s role in EVs

The CEO of mining company Almonty Industries gives us the latest demand expectations for the rare metal in relation to EVs.

Amped-Featured-Image-EP42-Almonty
AMN Drivetime: AISIN’s Dwayne Bates & Larrow Kaufman

AISIN’s Dwayne Bates and Larrow Kaufman discuss the company’s recent changes and its go-to-market strategy.

Drivetime_-Bates_Kaufman-1400x700-1
Champtires guides EV drivers toward used tires

Shilo Rea, chief marketing officer for Champtires, explains why EV drivers might want to look into used tires.

Amped-Featured-Image-EP41-ChampTires-No-Sponsor

Other Posts

ZF develops magnet-free electric motor

ZF’s magnet-free I2SM electric motor offers efficiency, a compact design, and versatile EV applications.

ZF-magnet-free-motor
Mahle unveils technology kit for electric motors

The kit for electric motors combines two of Mahle’s benchmark motors.

mahle_e-motor-kit
World record driver shows off what’s possible in an EV

Multiple-time Guinness World Record holder Rainer Zietlow delves into the challenges of long-distance and extreme-temperature EV driving.

Amped-hankook-1400
TIA organizes forum addressing right to repair and EV impact

TIA organized the Right to Repair EV Forum for the day before the opening of the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show this fall in Las Vegas.

right-to-repair EV