Rant: EV Tires

[CapriRacer]

Rant:

This isn't about EV tires, but about how Hankook is characterizing EV tires as something extra special.

Ya' see, the YouTube algorithm decided I wanted to see videos about EV tires, so it recommended a bunch. It is clear Hankook gave some incentive to these YouTube content creators (probably a free set of tires) to promote their EV tires. The sales copy these content creators are reading from makes a number of claims that are misleading - and the content creators don't have the technical savvy to recognize this.

Chief among those is that because EV are heavier than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles that the tire designed for EV's have a larger load carrying capacity. Sometimes this is explicit, sometimes it is implied. This is just not true. This just not how it works.

Ya' see, the load carrying capacity of a tire is set by tire standardizing organizations and is the same for a given size/load range and the vehicle manufacturers use those standards to specify what tire size is put on the vehicle - and therefore what is listed on the vehicle certification sticker.

Yes, there is a bit of difference depending on which standard is used, but that has more to do with the difference between metric units and English units (and rounding!)

The sales copy apparently also indicates that tires designed for ICE vehicle are just not suitable for EV's In the videos, this is also sometimes explicit and sometimes it is implied. Again, not true. Whatever advantage a tire designed for EV's has, also benefits an ICE vehicle - and vice versa.

Now I will admit that EV's benefit more than ICE's when it comes to rolling resistance (fuel economy) and noise, but regular tires generally last longer and that is usually not mentioned.

Bottomline: The tires don't care what the powerplant is. It could be steam and the benefits/disadvantages would be the same.

I go into more detail here: Barry's Tire Tech: EV Tires

/End Rant

 

[92saturnsl2]

I'm about to test this on my newly purchased (used) EV. It came with a new set of tires, cheapest thing the dealer could put on (as usual), Advanta HPZ-02, a standard UHP tire with no explicit EV credentials. Cost on Tirerack is 112$ each, that is ridiculously cheap for a 20" tire; made in Cambodia. I'm not going to remove them for the sole reason that they're cheap imported "junk" but rather see how long they last unless they present some sort of safety issue down the road (unlikely). If I get 30-40K out of them I'll be happy.

They drive like tires though.

Only attributes where I can see EV tires might diverge:

Prioritize noise / low rolling resistance or possibly treadwear. I can't think of much else.
Perhaps grip in the larger rim diameters for performance oriented models, but this would apply more toward summer/track only tires.

I can't see how weight would be a factor. All tires have a load rating on them whether EV specific or not.

 

[JohnnyG]

The main differences that I saw while researching new tires was that manufacturers that characterized their product as EV tires, stated that they had lower rolling resistance to increase efficiency.
Tires can be designed that way, like the Michelin GreenX label. I didn't see anything about load capacity increases.

I was going to put a set of EV tires on the MB, but couldn't find the proper size. I opted for the exact factory replacement. Mercedes Original Extended, or MOE.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Our MP3 came with Pirelli P-Zero staggered size rubber. I will likely use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S when the time comes.

 

[IndyIan]

Rant:

This isn't about EV tires, but about how Hankook is characterizing EV tires as something extra special.

Ya' see, the YouTube algorithm decided I wanted to see videos about EV tires, so it recommended a bunch. It is clear Hankook gave some incentive to these YouTube content creators (probably a free set of tires) to promote their EV tires. The sales copy these content creators are reading from makes a number of claims that are misleading - and the content creators don't have the technical savvy to recognize this.

Chief among those is that because EV are heavier than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles that the tire designed for EV's have a larger load carrying capacity. Sometimes this is explicit, sometimes it is implied. This is just not true. This just not how it works.

Ya' see, the load carrying capacity of a tire is set by tire standardizing organizations and is the same for a given size/load range and the vehicle manufacturers use those standards to specify what tire size is put on the vehicle - and therefore what is listed on the vehicle certification sticker.

Yes, there is a bit of difference depending on which standard is used, but that has more to do with the difference between metric units and English units (and rounding!)

The sales copy apparently also indicates that tires designed for ICE vehicle are just not suitable for EV's In the videos, this is also sometimes explicit and sometimes it is implied. Again, not true. Whatever advantage a tire designed for EV's has, also benefits an ICE vehicle - and vice versa.

Now I will admit that EV's benefit more than ICE's when it comes to rolling resistance (fuel economy) and noise, but regular tires generally last longer and that is usually not mentioned.

Bottomline: The tires don't care what the powerplant is. It could be steam and the benefits/disadvantages would be the same.

I go into more detail here: Barry's Tire Tech: EV Tires

/End Rant

I find it interesting that CR has most "EV" tires getting top scores for noise 5/5, while all got 3/5 for wet braking. Comparatively, only a few others of the 100+ tires they test get 5/5 for noise, and only the Pilot Sport All-season managaged 5/5 for noise and 4/5 for wet braking.
Someone here was asking about quiet tires so I looked up what was in CR.

 

[GrumpyCat]

Chief among those is that because EV are heavier than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles that the tire designed for EV's have a larger load carrying capacity. Sometimes this is explicit, sometimes it is implied. This is just not true. This just not how it works.

Ya' see, the load carrying capacity of a tire is set by tire standardizing organizations and is the same for a given size/load range and the vehicle manufacturers use those standards to specify what tire size is put on the vehicle - and therefore what is listed on the vehicle certification sticker.

There is a slight bit of truth to this urban legend. The NHW20 Prius of 2004-2009 wore 186/65-15 in a heavier 88 service category than the usual 86 for this size of tire.

My 2009 ML320 was about 5000 pounds and wore 255/50-19.
My 2023 Model Y LR weighs about 4400 pounds and wears 255/45-19.
So, which one would need a tire rated for heavier loads? Not the EV.

 

[Rmay635703]

The main differences that I saw while researching new tires was that manufacturers that characterized their product as EV tires, stated that they had lower rolling resistance to increase efficiency.
Tires can be designed that way, like the Michelin GreenX label. I didn't see anything about load capacity increases.

I was going to put a set of EV tires on the MB, but couldn't find the proper size. I opted for the exact factory replacement. Mercedes Original Extended, or MOE.

If you check out Goodyears so called EV tire offering they are meant to have a stronger carcass for EV torque to increase life while also having LRR.

How that works I have no idea, very expensive tires though

 

[97prizm]

Rant:

This isn't about EV tires, but about how Hankook is characterizing EV tires as something extra special.

Ya' see, the YouTube algorithm decided I wanted to see videos about EV tires, so it recommended a bunch. It is clear Hankook gave some incentive to these YouTube content creators (probably a free set of tires) to promote their EV tires. The sales copy these content creators are reading from makes a number of claims that are misleading - and the content creators don't have the technical savvy to recognize this.

Chief among those is that because EV are heavier than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles that the tire designed for EV's have a larger load carrying capacity. Sometimes this is explicit, sometimes it is implied. This is just not true. This just not how it works.

Ya' see, the load carrying capacity of a tire is set by tire standardizing organizations and is the same for a given size/load range and the vehicle manufacturers use those standards to specify what tire size is put on the vehicle - and therefore what is listed on the vehicle certification sticker.

Yes, there is a bit of difference depending on which standard is used, but that has more to do with the difference between metric units and English units (and rounding!)

The sales copy apparently also indicates that tires designed for ICE vehicle are just not suitable for EV's In the videos, this is also sometimes explicit and sometimes it is implied. Again, not true. Whatever advantage a tire designed for EV's has, also benefits an ICE vehicle - and vice versa.

Now I will admit that EV's benefit more than ICE's when it comes to rolling resistance (fuel economy) and noise, but regular tires generally last longer and that is usually not mentioned.

Bottomline: The tires don't care what the powerplant is. It could be steam and the benefits/disadvantages would be the same.

I go into more detail here: Barry's Tire Tech: EV Tires

/End Rant

One of the biggest issues is rolling resistance. The less you have the better off for range.

 

[02SE]

If any first tier tire manufacturers want to sponsor me for tires (for 15 vehicles), I promise to say good things about your tire company...

 

[dogememe]

My friend had a Bolt EUV and went from the stock "EV" tires to "regular" tires and lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of efficiency/range. At the price of electricity around here, I don't think it's worth it. However, if power was cheap, I'd go with a cheap, less efficient tire. I hope I don't ever need to buy tires for the Prologue by the time the lease is up, they are EXPENSIVE.

 

[Speedbird001]

I maintained a Prius-c for someone; 3 sets of tires over ~115k miles. 2nd set were the same as the OEM (Goodyear high MPG something IDK for sure). 3rd set were top shelf Continentals [something-DWS?] NOT a Hybrid or MPG specific model. Hands down they were far superior to the OEM Hybrid specific ones. No noticeable difference in MPG that I was made aware of, I just paid for it, driver covered the fuel, they never complained, but noted the new tires rode better. Sorry did not get a total life measure out of them, car was traded.

 

[PandaBear]

Wouldn't a gas engine sport car that corners and brake fast would actually wear out the tires just as much as a heavier EV? I mean cruising with a heavy battery isn't something completely new in stress to the tires.

Worst case they can just make a pickup or SUV tire for that size and then cut some passenger car trend patterns on it. Now you get EV tires.

 

[oil pan 4]

Rant:

This isn't about EV tires, but about how Hankook is characterizing EV tires as something extra special.

Ya' see, the YouTube algorithm decided I wanted to see videos about EV tires, so it recommended a bunch. It is clear Hankook gave some incentive to these YouTube content creators (probably a free set of tires) to promote their EV tires. The sales copy these content creators are reading from makes a number of claims that are misleading - and the content creators don't have the technical savvy to recognize this.

Chief among those is that because EV are heavier than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles that the tire designed for EV's have a larger load carrying capacity. Sometimes this is explicit, sometimes it is implied. This is just not true. This just not how it works.

Ya' see, the load carrying capacity of a tire is set by tire standardizing organizations and is the same for a given size/load range and the vehicle manufacturers use those standards to specify what tire size is put on the vehicle - and therefore what is listed on the vehicle certification sticker.

Yes, there is a bit of difference depending on which standard is used, but that has more to do with the difference between metric units and English units (and rounding!)

The sales copy apparently also indicates that tires designed for ICE vehicle are just not suitable for EV's In the videos, this is also sometimes explicit and sometimes it is implied. Again, not true. Whatever advantage a tire designed for EV's has, also benefits an ICE vehicle - and vice versa.

Now I will admit that EV's benefit more than ICE's when it comes to rolling resistance (fuel economy) and noise, but regular tires generally last longer and that is usually not mentioned.

Bottomline: The tires don't care what the powerplant is. It could be steam and the benefits/disadvantages would be the same.

I go into more detail here: Barry's Tire Tech: EV Tires

/End Rant

Plenty of people complaining that cheap tires only last 20,000 to 30,000 miles on a Nissan leaf.
The leaf weighs at least 800 to 900lb more than a versa so in theory if you put the same tire on both cars they wouldn't last as long on the leaf.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Wouldn't a gas engine sport car that corners and brake fast would actually wear out the tires just as much as a heavier EV? I mean cruising with a heavy battery isn't something completely new in stress to the tires.

Worst case they can just make a pickup or SUV tire for that size and then cut some passenger car trend patterns on it. Now you get EV tires.

Our GS350 F Sport rides on sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber in staggered sizes. Last time I replaced them, it was $1600 all in. I'd love to get 30K outta them.
Yeah, I see the rim rash; don't judge me!

 

[CapriRacer]

Plenty of people complaining that cheap tires only last 20,000 to 30,000 miles on a Nissan leaf.
The leaf weighs at least 800 to 900lb more than a versa so in theory if you put the same tire on both cars they wouldn't last as long on the leaf.

The Nissan Leaf and the Nissan Versa take different sized tires.

But if someone were to take appropriately sized tires and mount the same make/model tire on them AND operate them in exactly the same way, then they should get about the same number of miles out of the tires.

My guess as to why Leaf owners are complaining about cheap tires is because they are cheap tires and the leaf owners drive short distances in the city which has frequent turns, and since turning wears tires more rapidly, that's the deciding factor.

 

[oil pan 4]

The Nissan Leaf and the Nissan Versa take different sized tires.

But if someone were to take appropriately sized tires and mount the same make/model tire on them AND operate them in exactly the same way, then they should get about the same number of miles out of the tires.

My guess as to why Leaf owners are complaining about cheap tires is because they are cheap tires and the leaf owners drive short distances in the city which has frequent turns, and since turning wears tires more rapidly, that's the deciding factor.

That's why I said if the same tire was put on both. Not the same make ans model, literally exactly the same.
Heavier and more turning makes sense.
I live where there's more cows than people and use my leaf like a truck. I get between 40,000 and 50,000 miles on my energy saver tire sets.