Everything You Need to Know About EV Tires

There is a massive movement ongoing in the automotive industry right now. With each passing year, more vehicle manufacturers are beginning—or expanding—their production of electric vehicles.

Only 13 years ago, Tesla released the 2008 Tesla Roadster, the first electric vehicle powered by lithium-ion batteries. These modern electric cars produce no greenhouse gasses to release into the atmosphere, and the lack of an internal combustion engine means they are extremely quiet, if not silent.

While the innovation is exciting, it can also be confusing to a first-time electric car owner with the technology still being relatively new. The first time you go for a tire change on your new vehicle, you may not be aware of the unique traits you should look for in a tire for your electric car.

Well, we're here to help with that. Here are the key factors you should consider when choosing a set of EV tires.

Tire Acoustics

When your car is traveling at high speeds, you'll typically notice distinct road noise. Vibrations cause this sound inside the tire cavity due to the tire's interface with the road's surface. These vibrations are then transferred to the axles and chassis of the car to create quite a lot of noise. This noise is not always very noticeable in a traditional internal combustion car, as the engine's sound overpowers it. Still, it becomes much more prevalent in an electric vehicle due to these cars being much quieter overall.

To combat this road noise, you will want to choose specially designed tires to reduce vibrations. One great example is Continental's ContiSilent technology. ContiSilent can reduce the sound of your tires by up to 9dB, which it achieves with a polyurethane foam ring installed in the inner tire that cushions the tire-to-road contact and absorbs the vibrations.

Many tires designed for electric vehicles have foam padding on the inside of the tires which helps reduce road noise. Tire manufacturers are continuing to invest in technology to improve the driving experience and you can count on Mavis Tires & Brakes to have the latest tire technology in stock.

Whether you choose Continental, Michelin, or any other reputable tire manufacturer, do yourself a favor and equip your electric vehicle with a set of tires that offer a quiet ride.

Low Rolling Resistance

The rolling resistance of your tires is significant for an electric car. Having tires with low rolling resistance will allow your vehicle to travel greater distances on a charge, and your vehicle will operate at optimal efficiency.

The EcoContact 6 from Continental, which includes the aforementioned ContiSilent technology, is an excellent example of a tire that offers low rolling resistance. These tires use a high-tech, proprietary compound that increases the tire's rolling performance to provide a comfortable and energy-efficient ride.

Grip for Better Braking

A side effect of the increased weight of an electric vehicle is an increase in braking distance. Basic physics dictates that if two cars use the same brakes and tires, the heavier vehicle will need a longer distance to come to a complete stop. This increased braking distance is a vital safety issue that you need to consider when selecting your tires.

For an electric vehicle, you want to ensure that your tires are designed for optimal grip to withstand the inevitable extra weight of an electric car. One strong candidate to consider when it comes to superior grip is the Bridgestone Potenza tires. The tread compound on these tires is specially formulated to provide maximum grip to aid in braking and handling corners.

Final Thoughts

Electric vehicles are impressively engineered, but they do provide some additional challenges when it comes to choosing tires. The extra weight from the batteries means your tire choice should consider options with superior grip. You'll also want to consider a tire with low rolling resistance to improve how far you can drive between charges. Finally, to reduce the road noise that is more noticeable without a gas engine drowning it out, you should also look for a tire that dampens the road-induced vibrations to provide a comfortable, silent ride.

While there is a lot to consider in choosing a tire, it does not have to be complicated. Simply look up a list of tires that fit your vehicle, and check out your options. Take care to consider the tire choosing criteria we went over, and you will soon be driving away from your tire change in safety and comfort.