In the rapidly evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), every component plays a crucial role in optimizing performance, efficiency, and comfort. One often overlooked yet vital component is the tyre. As EVs differ significantly from their Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterparts, the tyres designed for them must meet specific challenges and requirements.
However, is there a genuine necessity for drivers to opt for EV-specific tyres for their electric vehicles, and what benefits might they overlook by choosing a well-suited traditional performance tyre from a reputable manufacturer?
To explore this, let's delve into what makes EV tyres unique and why they're crucial for maximizing the driving experience.
1. Minimizing Noise
One of the most noticeable differences for occupants of EVs compared to ICE vehicles is the reduced noise levels. With no engine rumbling under the hood, other noises like tyre noise become more pronounced. To address this, today’s EV-specific tyre incorporates special features aimed at minimizing noise. Such EV-specific tyres employ advanced tread designs and, in some cases, internal foam inserts that dampen internal resonance, effectively reducing overall tyre noise.
Regarding conventional performance tyres, ongoing advancements aimed at reducing road noise have been a continuous focus in tyre development. Toyo's latest touring tyre, Proxes CR1, does this with its asymmetric tread pattern, internal noise-protection sheet and a variable pitch pattern. These design elements help minimize noise, resulting in a driving experience with less intrusive road noise for a conventional performance tyre.
2. Handling Increased Weight
EVs tend to be heavier than traditional ICE vehicles due to the weight of the battery packs, and consequently are fitted as original equipment with tyres that have reinforced load indexes to support this additional weight. Reinforced load indexes, as per European standards, ensure that tyres can safely carry the increased loads without compromising performance or safety.
Traditional non-EV performance tyres, like Toyo’s Proxes Sport 2 performance tyre, and its new Proxes CR1, offer reinforced load indexes across all sizes to cater to heavier vehicles and ensure tyre placard requirement for load are met
3. Optimal Inflation Pressures
Ensuring correct tyre inflation is vital for safety and efficiency, particularly in EVs. Because of their increased weight, EVs typically necessitate higher recommended inflation pressures compared to ICE vehicles. For example, a Tesla Model 3 equipped with 18-inch tyres may advise a cold inflation pressure of 42 psi, whereas a Toyota Camry with 17-inch wheels might recommend 35 psi. Proper inflation supports optimal handling and braking performance while also reducing rolling resistance, thereby enhancing range—a benefit applicable to both EV-specific tyres and traditional performance tyres alike.
4. Minimizing Rolling Resistance
For EV owners, range anxiety remains a key concern - making low rolling resistance a critical factor in tyre design. EV-specific tyres use advanced tread compounds, pattern design, and reduced weight to boost energy efficiency. These features help extend driving range and reduce long-term running costs.
Conventional touring tyres, like the new Proxes CR1, also offer similar benefits, featuring a fuel-efficient compound and an optimised tread pattern designed to reduce rolling-resistance and enhance tread life.
That said, the advantages of low rolling resistance can be compromised by poor maintenance - such as under-inflation, wheel misalignment, or tyre imbalance.
5. High Performance Requirements
EVs known for their rapid acceleration, such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, demand tyres that can deliver high levels of drive traction without excessive wheel-spin. Ultra-High Performance (UHP) tyres are often preferred for these vehicles due to their superior grip and handling characteristics.
The heavier weight of EVs place significant demands on tyre braking and drive traction performance. Modern traditional performance tyres are designed to provide reliable grip and traction under diverse road conditions, ensuring safe and confident braking maneuvers in unexpected conditions. For instance, advancements in Toyo’s new Proxes Sport 2 have demonstrated up to 16 per cent better braking performance in wet conditions, compared to its predecessor, due mainly to the new tyre profile design and dual outer and inner tread compounds.
Leading tyre manufacturers, including Toyo Tires, remain engaged in an ongoing innovation to develop and produce superior performance tyres that excel across all aspects, with a particular focus on enhancing rolling resistance, grip levels, and noise reduction—key considerations crucial for any performance vehicle, including EVs.
6. EVs Don’t Always Need EV-Specific Tyres
Despite the emerging market for EV-dedicated tyres, many electric vehicles roll off the production line equipped with standard, non-EV-specific patterns, demonstrating that EVs don’t always require unique tyre solutions.
Even major car manufacturers recognise this, fitting popular models with conventional non-EV patterns, like the KIA EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach E.
These examples show that while EV-specific tyres offer advantages, trusted conventional patterns are still widely used and endorsed by OEMs.
7. Low Profile Tyre Design
Like most contemporary high-performance vehicles, all Tesla models are equipped with low-profile tyres, which contribute to improved handling and responsiveness by minimizing sidewall distortion under load. However, low-profile tyres are more vulnerable to sidewall damage caused by road hazards.
Toyo's new Road Damage Warranty program on its new Proxes Sport 2 further supports vehicle roadside assistance programs, such as Tesla Roadside Assistance, by providing coverage for free replacement or repair of tyres damaged by accidents like punctures from sharp objects, damage from curbs, potholes, or uneven road surfaces, within the first 6 months or 5,000 kilometers.
8. Cost Considerations
It's worth noting that EV-specific tyres, which are essentially conventional tyres with modifications for EV requirements, typically come at a higher retail price compared to conventional tyres in the same size range. This premium reflects the specialized engineering and materials needed to meet the unique demands of electric vehicles.
In summary, selecting the appropriate tyres for your EV extends beyond considerations of size and brand. It requires a grasp of how these tyres are engineered to improve performance, reduce energy consumption, and maximize driving range. Equally crucial is understanding the importance of proper maintenance to fully appreciate the advantages and benefits offered by EV-tyre technology.
So, whether you're driving for efficiency, enjoyment, or both, investing in a suitable high-quality tyre - whether specifically designed for EVs or a traditional performance tyre - ensures that your vehicle performs at its peak while offering a quieter, smoother ride over its life.
For more, watch the video below featuring Auto Expert’s John Cadogan and Toyo Australia’s technical manager, Steve Burke, unpack the facts around tyres for electric vehicles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNLfoS9__0Y
