How Long do EV Tires Last?

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Do EV Tires wear out Quicker?

The short answer is that, depending on how your drive, you may have to replace EV tires sooner than on an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICE car). So, yes, EV tires often wear out quicker than tires on gas cars. When you first purchase an EV, it is likely that you'll be blown away by the instant acceleration provided by the electric drivetrain, the excellent handling, and the regenerative braking. But you may discover over time that you need to replace the tires somewhat sooner than on a traditional gasoline powered car.

Depending on specific studies, EV tires seem to wear out 15 to 20 percent faster than on conventional vehicles, and according to JD Powers' 2024 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, EV owners are noticing that their EV tires are wearing out faster and they aren't too happy about it. Many in the study said that they were not aware and were not told that the heavier electric vehicles with higher torque would wear out tires quicker.
Tire manufacturers have been quick to respond by designing tires made from new compounds, with new tread designs, and even acoustic damping foam to reduce noise for EVs. Many consumers didn't know that an EV requires specialized tires and that you can't just throw any kind of automobile tire on a high-end EV. According to Russell Shepard, technical communications director for Michelin North America, Inc., "If you are satisfied with the performance of the tires on your vehicle and want to maintain that performance, then your best option is to buy the OE (original equipment) tire again. That being said, there are always interesting options other than the OE one."

Those options include spending extra money for ultra high performance (UHP) tires. Interestingly, when it comes to better handling and performance, upgrading to UHP tires is a relatively cost-effective way to increase grip.
What Causes EV Tires to Wear Out Sooner?
The main factors to calculate when considering how fast EV tires wear out comes down to weight, torque, driving style, and improper maintenance.


Weight
One of the main contributors to tire wear on EVs simply comes down to the weight of battery packs which puts more load on the tires. When talking about EVs, rolling resistance often comes up. This is the amount of energy your vehicle needs to send to your tires to maintain movement at a constant speed over the road. It is the effort required to keep a tire rolling. Since the battery packs in EVs cause the overall vehicle to weigh more, that extra weight increases the car's rolling resistance. EV tires work to reduce rolling resistance by being more energy efficient.

Torque
When you press down on the accelerator in an electric car, the torque and speed are immediate. Many EVs can launch you from zero to 60mph in around three seconds. Yes, that is a whole lot of fun, but high torque produces more wear on your tires. Quick starts and quick stops can have a very detrimental effect on your tires. EV tires are designed with more sticky compounds and road-gripping tread patterns to give you better handling. Which brings us to the next reason that EV tires wear out faster… driving style.

Driving Style
When driving an EV, it is hard to set aside the fact that its performance is addicting. It's so much fun to zoom around to see what she'll do from a dead stop on a straight piece of road, or how she'll maneuver some twisty canyon curves. But the fact is, the more of a lead foot you are, the quicker you'll lose precious driving range and the faster you'll wear out your tires. The same is true if you hot rod around in a gas car. Our advice is to slow down, drive safely, and add to the longevity of your tires.
Improper Maintenance
This last one is all about keeping an eye on your tire pressure, overall wear and tread wear. It is best to check your tire pressure every few weeks. Proper air pressure will assure you get the most out of your tires. Follow your car's Owner's Manual for proper maintenance and have your tires rotated and your wheels aligned as suggested.

Solutions
When it comes to the weight of EV battery packs, new technology, new materials, and new applications will reduce weight and add range. For instance, new battery systems using silicon nanowire anode technology will deliver double the power density at half the weight of today's lithium-ion batteries. Panasonic is working with Sila Nanotechnologies to create EV batteries that will slash charging time and boost range by swapping graphite with silicon. Meanwhile, solid state batteries are coming that will weigh less, charge faster, and pack more energy for longer range.

How Long do EV Tires last?

Looking a todays' EV tires, manufacturers are working on new rubber compounds and better tread patterns so they an offer more mileage between tire changes. These tires offer a limited warranty. Bridgestone Turanza EV tires are excellent all-season tires that have a limited warranty of up to 50,000 miles.

Goodyear's Chief Technology Officer Chris Helsel tells us that the company's new ElectricDrive GT2 tires are an ultra-high-performance all-season tire engineered specifically for the high standards and demands of today's premium electric vehicles. They feature low rolling resistance for better range and are made from 50 percent recyclable materials at a lower cost. Goodyear's Electric Drive GT2 tires offer a 45,000-mile tread wear warranty. 

See dealer for limited warranty details

Extending EV Tire Life

You can add to the amount of life on your EV tires by opting for high-quality, EV-specific tires that are specifically engineered to handle the extra weight load of your electric vehicle. Be sure to check your vehicle's tire pressure frequently to make sure they are properly inflated. Underinflated tires cause them to wear out much quicker and will have a negative impact on performance. The same is true for rotating your tires often to make sure all four tires are wearing properly. Check your tread for proper wear as well as the sidewalls for any bulges or bubbles.

Lastly, even though it is really a lot of fun to go fast in an EV, try to keep your acceleration and speed down for better range and a safer drive. Avoid rapid acceleration, aggressive cornering, and abrupt braking. By doing so, you'll extend the life of your tires and possibly extend your own life as well.
Let Lithia Help
When it comes time to replace your EV tires, remember that Lithia Motors Service Centers offer tire replacement as well as tire rotation and wheel alignments to keep your EV rolling. Our expert professional technicians will help you choose the right tires for a perfect fit and perform general maintenance on your electric vehicle. Your EVs ongoing service is important to us, because we want to keep you as a customer for life!