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Do Electric Cars Go Through Tires Faster? (Yes – Here’s Why)

You’ve probably been wondering why you have to change EV tires more frequently than its other body part.

The fact is, switching to an electric vehicle has its many advantages, but it comes with a price.

Your tires burn out faster than conventional cars. In this article, we will answer questions regarding why EV tires wear out faster. 

Do Electric Cars Really Wear Out Tires Faster?

Electric cars wear out tires faster because they have instant torque. This puts more pressure on the tires and also causes the tires to wear 20-30% faster. Because electric vehicles have faster acceleration they also go through tires faster.

That’s the short answer.

The tires of electric cars do seem to wear out faster than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, especially if they use traditional tires.

Standard road tires can wear out 20-30% faster when installed on an EV.

There are various reasons ‌tires wear out faster on EVs and we would discuss this in the next subheading.

How Are Tires for Electric Cars Different? 

The make of EV differs significantly from other vehicles. Using conventional body parts (tires inclusive) affects the car performance and makes them wear out faster.

There are two major reasons ‌electric cars go through tires faster.

They are:

#1 Heavier Weight

The large battery packs of electric cars carry more weight than gasoline cars. To increase the range of the EV to last as long as gasoline-powered cars, the size of the batteries will have to increase.

For instance, the Ford F-150 Lightning truck is 1600 pounds heavier than the regular F-150. The same goes for electric SUVs and compact cars. This weight directly affects their tires and makes them wear out faster.

#2 Increased Torque

Any electric vehicle, even the cheapest one, still has a remarkable acceleration because they draw instant torque from electric motors.

One of the cheapest EVs, like the Chevy Bolt, can speed up from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

This results in faster wear on the tires due to so much pressure when the pedals are pressed. It causes excessive friction that generally affects the tires in the long run.

We have more here about how electric cars have more torque than gas-driven cars.

However, this should not be a total turnoff to buying or owning an EV, as there are easy solutions to this problem.

We also see this among Tesla cars. Tesla cars also have special-designed tires.

Do EVs Need Special Tires?

EVs need a special kind of tires that can carry their weight and torque.

These tires are rated to support heavy loads. The commonest types are load ranges C, D and E.

What Do These Special Tires Do?

It is hard to spot the difference between these special and conventional tires by just looking at them, but their functions are quite different.

Below is the list of functions the special tires carry out:

Withstand Heavy Weight

The tires are designed to shoulder the weight of the car and they are stated to weigh 20% more than ICE tires.

The special EV tires are also essential for optimizing the car’s performance.

Noise Reduction

EVs are quiet operators since they don’t come with a noisy internal combustion engine. For this reason, they need special tires that reduce road noise to match the quiet ride.

EV tires are designed and manufactured with special tread patterns, rubber compounds and sound-absorbing foam to reduce road noise, especially during high acceleration.

Increased Traction 

EV tires must have strong traction and braking performance because of the torque and high output that come from their electric motors.

To meet this need, EV tires are produced with a wide center rib pattern to give a firm grip and to reduce slippage at an increased speed.

Durability 

The tires are made with raw materials like high resin and silica. These natural resources are crucial in making these tires as they enhance the durability and strength of the tires.

It aids the power delivery and unique driving of the vehicle.

Lower Rolling Resistance 

Rolling resistance is the force that resists the motion of a moving vehicle. The weight of the vehicle, gravity and friction between tires all play a major part.

EV tires are made with compounds that reduce the rolling resistance because it leads to energy loss. Their rigid pattern and structure achieve low rolling resistance and ultimately boost the battery’s efficiency.

Related: 7 Things That Are Different In Electric Cars (Explained)

Why Does Instant Torque Cause Tires to Wear Faster?

Atturo Tires Closeup

Instant torque cause tires to wear faster because of the high force produced by the engine of gasoline cars or from the electric motors of EVs.

With gasoline cars, the torque is produced when the engine sends a rotational force to the transmission. It usually happens more on an automatic transmission. When the force is sent to the transmission, it goes through the drive axles before finally reaching the wheels.

While in an electric car, the electric motors send the torque directly through the axle down to the wheels. It doesn’t lose much force unlike gasoline cars.

This also makes electric cars feel faster than gas-driven cars.

The torque reaches the wheel almost instantly.

Little wonder why people call it instant torque in EVs. However, there is a price to pay as this instant torque burns out tires more.

The friction is so high against the road surface because of the immediate speed. 

Related: 3 Affordable Electric Cars With All Wheel Drive (With Prices)

Do People Accelerate Faster and Brake Harder in Electric Cars?

You’ve probably wondered why people state they love the speed of EV cars and how powerful their brakes are.

It is majorly because of the electric motors and regenerative brakes that they feature. So yes, most EV owners ‌speed crazy and apply hard brakes while driving.

This used more battery power. One way manufacturers try and prolong the battery life and range of electric cars is to build in features that make electric cars have lower top speed than regular cars.

However, aside from the electric motors, there are other major reasons EV cars accelerate faster.

They include:

Optimized Transmission

With an electric car transmission, there is no need for changing gears and it is hardly recognized as a transmission. They have just one gear that performs two major functions. 

  • Adjusts the speed 
  • Adjusts how hard you hit the pedals

Enhanced Throttle Control

Once you press down the throttle in any car, the engine or motors begin to deliver more power. This throttle is far enhanced with EVs.

If you press the EV throttle hard, you are sure to get the same measure of speed. For instance, if you press the gas pedal 70%, you will get the exact 70% increase in speed.

The same cannot be said for internal combustion engines. You might need a turbocharger to get 100% of its power delivery.

Lower Center of Gravity

Having a low ground clearance car gives the car more stability and easier maneuvering. It is why sports or racing cars sit so close to the ground. They’re also more aerodynamic, which makes the car really fast.

Accolades have been given to EV automakers because most of their vehicles sit low to the ground. They share their weight evenly by putting the heavy parts, like the battery packs, as low as possible. This makes them stable at high speeds.

Enhanced Brakes

EV cars have regenerative brakes that automatically slow down your car when you take your feet off the pedals.

They become faster because they have lighter and more efficient brakes and it is general knowledge that a car can only move as fast and it can slow down.

Thus, lighter brakes make it possible to have a quicker lap with the luxury to slow down as needed.

Are Tires for Electric Cars Cheaper or More Expensive?

Electric car tires are ‌more costly than ICE tires. However, this varies with the type of car.

For instance, the Nissan Leaf tires cost about $75 to $200, according to CarTalk, because the vehicle isn’t too focused on performance. But all things being equal, the average cost to replace or buy new tires ranges from $150 to over $200, as stated by MotorBiscuit.

The expected lifespan of EV tires lasts between 30,000 miles to 40,000 miles, so you’ll have to spend more money on tires for an electric car. It is the price to pay for its enhanced performance. 

Related: Rotating Your Car Tires: Is It Really Necessary? (Explained)

How Much Faster Do Electric Cars Wear Tires?

Even with the specially designed tires for EVs, they still wear out 20% faster than ICE vehicles. There is really no lasting remedy to this because even if you try to reduce instant torque and hard braking, they still carry more weight than conventional vehicles.

Source

2 Reasons Electric Cars Burn Through Tires Faster Than Gas-Powered Vehicles| Motor Biscuit

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