At a Glance
Electric vehicles (EVs) benefit from specially designed tyres built to handle their extra weight, instant torque, and quieter operation. These offer greater durability, grip, and efficiency compared to regular tyres, helping extend battery range and safety. While you can use standard tyres, you should do so with caution, as they’re best used temporarily. In Town Automotive provides expert electric car tyre recommendations, fitting, and maintenance services across Northampton and Kettering.
Do Electric Cars Really Need Special Tyres?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are an increasingly popular choice in the UK, offering benefits ranging from reduced emissions and lower maintenance costs to less noise pollution. Recently, EV sales in the UK have hit a record high, and judging by industry trends, EVs are here to stay.
When it comes to tyres, many EV owners and potential customers wonder if electric cars require special tyres in the UK. While there’s no legal requirement that EVs should be fitted with special tyres, studies suggest that these vehicles work best with EV-specific tyres that manufacturers often recommend. This is because EVs weigh a lot more than standard vehicles, and tyres bear the majority of that weight.
EV tyres are specially constructed, with a higher load index and strong sidewalls to ensure this weight is distributed evenly allowing for a smoother ride. So if you’re weighing your tyre options between EV tyres vs regular tyres, you’ll find EV-specific tyres are better equipped to handle the weight and are more durable compared to regular tyres.
In this article, we explore what EV owners should know about tyres and whether EV-specific tyres make a difference.
What Makes Tyres for Electric Cars Different
Have you ever wondered why EVs are known for reducing noise pollution? The answer lies in EV-specific car tyres that are specially designed to absorb sound waves, helping reduce the overall road noise. Now compare this to standard tyres. While they can be fitted in an EV easily, you’ll notice that they’re noisier and don’t offer the near-silent operation generally associated with EVs.
Plus, EV-specific tyres are designed with different tread patterns and specialised compounds to handle instant torque. This can wear out standard tyres prematurely due to stress on the tyre treads. EV tyres also perform better than regular tyres in the aspect of safety, as they have a higher load rating, often marked as (HL) on tyre sidewalls.
In Town Automotive can offer you some of the best electric car tyre recommendations in the UK, as well as provide high-quality tyre services at our award-winning garage in Northampton and Kettering. You can also take advantage of our free tyre health check and inspection, where we carry out digital scans, assess wheel alignment and more. To book a professional tyre service, call us on 01604 666 700 or get in touch today.
Key Features of EV-Specific Tyres
While there’s no clear yes or no answer to the question “Do electric cars need special tyres?”, the key features of EV tyres in comparison to regular tyres should give you a clearer picture.
Durability
EV-specific tyres are built for long-lasting durability, with higher load ratings (HL) that give them improved on-road safety and performance compared to regular tyres.
Wear Impact
Standard tyres on EVs may not be able to withstand instant torque due to thinner tread compounds and standard tread patterns. EV-specific tyres, on the other hand, are created with specialised compounds and tread patterns that help extend tyre lifespan while supporting instant torque.
Range
EV-specific tyres maximise the vehicle’s battery range by reducing energy loss through friction. This is made possible due to its aerodynamic sidewalls and minimal rolling resistance, which standard tyres can’t match.
Acoustic Technology
The use of acoustic foam in the tyre’s design reduces road noise significantly, giving you a quieter, smoother, and more comfortable driving experience. Standard tyres don’t have these features and can add to noise pollution.
Grip
Since EVs are heavier, they require a stronger tyre grip to allow for rapid acceleration and reliable braking. Modified tread patterns and wider contact patches on EV-specific tyres allow for this. Standard tyres may struggle to maintain the same level of traction while still handling the heavier construction of an EV and its torque capacity.
When to Use Regular Tyres vs EV-Specific Tyres
When comparing EV tyres vs regular tyres, the choice largely depends on your vehicle type and driving habits.
If you’re looking to use standard tyres on your EV, we recommend sticking with EV-specific ones to stay safe. This is because regular tyres aren’t designed for heavy vehicles and instant torque, and neglecting this can compromise your vehicle’s safety. If you’re absolutely set on using a standard tyre, make sure it meets your EV’s minimum load requirements and the vehicle’s speed ratings.
Another instance where you can get away with a regular tyre on an EV is in an emergency. Even then, it’s important to ensure that the tyre meets the requisite load index for optimal performance. Be sure to change to an EV-specific tyre as soon as possible.
If you’re someone who uses an EV for a daily commute or you’re on the road frequently, it’s best to use an EV-specific tyre. This can offer you enhanced durability, improving your mileage and lowering your cost per mile. You’ll also benefit from reduced noise levels and enjoy peace of mind as you stay compliant with manufacturer requirements.
How to Choose and Maintain EV Tyres
Choosing the right EV-specific tyres and maintaining them requires a different approach compared to standard tyres.
One of the most important things to do when selecting an EV-specific tyre is to correctly identify the load index and make sure it matches your vehicle’s manual.
If fuel efficiency is a priority for you, you’ll also need to factor in the rolling resistance rating, where (A) would be ideal. Another area where an (A) rating would be preferable is a tyre’s wet grip rating, a non-negotiable in the UK’s wet climate. This directly impacts your EV’s safety and braking performance.
Maintaining EV tyres involves a combination of DIY checks and following a regular EV car service schedule. You can easily monitor your tyre pressure using a manufacturer’s specific PSI/Bar guidelines. However, for wheel alignment issues, we recommend going to your local garage, especially if you notice uneven wear or signs of pulling.
If you want to keep your EV-specific tyres in top condition, resist the urge to test out your vehicle’s instant torque capacity. This might seem like fun, but it can accelerate the tyre’s wear, impacting its performance and reducing its lifespan.
Contact In Town Automotive for Professional Tyre Services
If you’re an EV owner and are looking for the best electric tyre recommendations and professional tyre services, visit In Town Automotive at our Northampton and Kettering branches. We offer full geometry checks and adjustments, wheel alignment services, and even a free tyre health check.
Our award-winning garage also offers full car servicing for electric vehicles. Plus, you can get your vehicle MOT tested, as we’re a certified DVSA-class 4 MOT test centre. We use top-of-the-line vehicle diagnostics to offer high-quality car maintenance checks.
Our technicians conduct comprehensive vehicle service checks to ensure your EV stays in optimal health year-round. Whether you need us to inspect or repair your EV’s tyres, cooling system, air conditioning, brakes, or high-voltage components, we’ve got you covered.
Explore our services or contact us to book an appointment today and keep your electric vehicle in good condition.
bookings@intownautomotive.co.uk