What Are EV Tires?
Electric vehicles have specific tire requirements.
Rivian
QuickTakes:
Tires are not a one-type-fits-all proposition. Electric vehicle (EV) tires differ from the average rolling stock through design elements constructed for noise and comfort, weight, traction demands, and shape.
Manufacturers have developed countless compounds, tread patterns, and special features to suit the particular needs of a vehicle, be it gripping icy roads in winter or withstanding abuse on boiling racetrack asphalt. With EVs, tire designers face new challenges, from instantaneous torque delivery to greater weight demands to different consumer expectations.
Designed For a Quiet Ride
With an internal-combustion vehicle, drivers expect — and sometimes savor — the noises and vibrations made by the rumbling powertrain and exhaust. With an EV, the opposite is true. Owners generally want a smooth ride and a near-silent cabin — two things tires largely affect. In the absence of other sounds, passengers tend to notice tire noise more. So dedicated EV tires employ tricks like Bridgestone's quiet tread pattern or Goodyear's interior sound-deadening foam to keep such noise to a minimum.
EVs Need Additional Weight Support
Saddled with giant, heavy battery packs such as the Rivian SUVs and trucks, electric vehicles generally weigh more than their internal-combustion-engine counterparts. According to a study by Green Car Congress, the increased weight is on average 24% more.
If left with standard tires, an EV would overtax the rubber, causing it to wear prematurely. For this reason, tire manufacturers reinforce EV tires with thicker-than-usual sidewalls and employ tough compounds for durability. Many examples boast high load ratings as a result.
Performance and Longevity Are a Balancing Act for EV Tires
Electric motors allow for immediate torque delivery to the wheels, which is a boon for acceleration yet an issue for grip and longevity. Tire manufacturers have to balance these needs to create a tire that performs and lasts.
One way to deal with this added stress is to use stiff compounds for the tread blocks, as Michelin does with its Pilot Sport EV tires. The tire maker also uses a hard compound down the center of the tire to provide better traction for acceleration.
Shape Impacts Range and Rolling Resistance
Tires on efficiency-minded EVs tend to be narrower than those on internal-combustion cars, as the less rubber that contacts the road, the less energy the vehicle loses to friction. This is a concept called rolling resistance and the goal is to limit it.
Automakers have equipped hybrids with low-rolling-resistance rubber for years, and now they're doing the same for EVs to help stretch the battery's charge and achieve maximum range. That said, narrow tires aren't always the best option, especially on powerful, sport-focused electrics, which need a decent contact patch to put all the available torque down.
EV Tires Currently Cost a Premium
The reinforced construction, added sound deadening, and advanced engineering that goes into EV-specific tires requires quite a few development dollars. These costs have trickled down to the final product, so that EV tires often demand a premium over traditional stock. For example, in size 245/40R-20, Michelin's Pilot Sport EVs cost more than $400 per tire, whereas the brand's comparable non-EV Pilot Sport 4S rubber comes in at a lower price.
As electric vehicles gain in popularity and these tires sell in greater volumes, the price should come down.
