Do Electric Cars Need Special Tyres?

Gone are the disappointing battery ranges and huge price tags; electric and hybrid cars are fast becoming commonplace as many of us opt for a greener way to travel. And with many household names bringing out their own flavour of electric and hybrid cars, (Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan and Volvo, to name a few) it’s never been more affordable and practical to own one.

As well as the obvious difference in how you fuel your electric car, you’ll want to ensure you’re not doing yourself a disservice by choosing the wrong tyres. Though not required by law, electric vehicles benefit from specialised tyres to account for several factors, which you’ll discover below.

Do electric cars need heavier tyres?

The battery of an electric car is on average 450kg – around 25 times heavier than a traditional combustible engine. Looking at the difference between an electric car and a petrol car – electric cars can be up to 3 times heavier!

Using the same tyres as you always have for a petrol or diesel, therefore, is going to result in excess strain and much faster wear. Tyres used for electric and hybrid vehicles tend to be heavier to account for this extra load they’re carrying.

You can work out how much weight your car tyres can withstand by checking their index, usually displayed as a number on the sidewall of the tyre. A tyre with a load index of 65 can hold a maximum load of 290kg, while a load index of 100 can hold 800kg.

Do electric cars need quieter tyres?

One thing many new-EV owners notice straight away is how much quieter the drive is, compared to a traditional car. However, with no combustible engine sounds to mask your normal tyre noises, you’ll be able to hear them rolling and grinding on the ground below. And when everything else is silent, the last thing you want to hear is your tyre’s every rotation!

Electric vehicle tyres are made with noise in mind and often contain a sound-dampening material such as foam. The foam absorbs the usual noise so you can enjoy your drive in peace.

Electric car tyres use different sidewalls

The sidewall is the part of the tyre that ensures it remains attached to the rim when moving. EV tyres use reinforced sidewalls as part of their mission to support the extra weight of an electric battery. Without normal tyres, you run the risk of premature wear and tear.

Electric car tyres are optimised for efficiency and safety

Finally, the production of EV tyres utilises a specialised structure and material combination to ensure the tyre will perform at its best, and safely, for the longest amount of time.

With heavier vehicle weight comes a longer breaking distance. The tyres must account for this with enhanced grip, achieved from specific groove widths and tread designs. Conversely, rolling resistance (the amount the tyre rotation is inhibited by the terrain) can increase drag and thus decrease the car’s range. So, these two factors are often carefully balanced through the use of special compounds, to create a tyre which facilitates a safe breaking distance whilst maximising the range.

Why get special tyres for electric cars?

Whilst not mandatory, using specialised EV tyres is often better in the long run for both your car and your wallet. Compared with traditional car tyres, EV tyres last longer, and are quieter, grippier and optimised for roll resistance to ensure you get the smoothest, safest drive possible. This means you’ll spend less money, and time, fuelling up and replacing worn-out tyres.

At Watling Tyres, we stock a huge range of tyres to suit every pocket. Contact our team today or call into one of our branches to chat about your electric or hybrid vehicle and which tyres are most suitable.