When it comes to maintaining your electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid, what replacement tires you choose deserves special attention. Characteristics unique to EVs – namely their heavier weight and how an electric motor functions – cast tires in an outsized role regarding both efficiency and the driving experience of an electric car. In fact, EVs exert more stress on tires, consuming them faster compared to a gas-powered vehicle.
Such factors make the choice of tires for an electric vehicle an important one, and a subject area in which Michelin excels. Long before the advent of electric cars, we were at the forefront of producing high-efficiency premium tires that are made to last. This know-how has positioned Michelin to design and manufacture vehicle tires optimally suited to the unique characteristics of electric vehicles. Understanding what sets EVs apart and how that impacts choosing replacement tires is the best way to explain what an EV tire needs to offer.
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Electric cars have heavy batteries, so they need tires that can carry the extra weight. While the battery stores the energy, it’s the electric motor that provides the instant torque (and no sound inside the car!). With an electric vehicle, as soon as you press the accelerator, you immediately deploy 100% of the vehicle’s power. This means weight transfers are sharper and a lot more intense than with a combustion-powered vehicle. This also affects the impact of wear and tear on the tires.
Michelin tires take this into account in the structure of the tires and its materials.
Think EV versus ICE, the acronym for cars with internal combustible engines, and everyone immediately jumps to “no gas!” And while the eco-friendly design of an electric vehicle eliminates the need for fossil fuels and many other high wear-and-tear engine parts, an EV is nevertheless heavier than an ICE. That greater weight comes from the heavy batteries EVs rely on as their fuel source and is one of the primary reasons EVs perform better with special tires for electric cars.
A heavier vehicle requires a tire that can perform well under more weight and also offers durability and a long tread life. Michelin uses advanced construction techniques combined with stronger materials to strengthen the tire carcass, the tire’s backbone. When combined with more robust compounds used in a tire’s tread, the result is an EV ready tire that provides high durability and excellent wear, on par with the tire lifecycle on a gas-powered vehicle.
One of the wow factors in the EV driving experience is its high instant torque and how it accelerates so quickly. Speeding up in an ICE takes longer as pushing on the gas pedal sets off a whole range of functions that need time to work their way to the wheel axles. Whereas in an EV, press on the accelerator, and off you go. There is no time lag from a driveshaft, gears or the engine to attain high speeds and maximum torque. Instead, the power from the motor is directly transferred to the wheels, with some premium electric cars accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds.
As thrilling as instant torque is, even a priority for EV owners wanting precision handling and performance, that higher torque is hard on tires. Like with weight, tires for electric cars designed for optimal durability can stand up to the extra stress of high torque. Michelin has invested a great deal of research and development in optimizing vehicle tires to handle the instant torque of electric cars. Similar to weight, a strong tire carcass and tire compounding are key factors and areas Michelin has pioneered for decades. Currently, our focus is on combining compounds for different areas of a tire’s tread pattern and various surfaces of the tire, both inside and out, to meet the elevated tire wear from an EV’s high torque.
Heavier electric vehicles are not only hard on tires, they also have a longer braking distance. All that momentum from the weight, plus the fast acceleration of instant torque, requires a tire with exceptional grip. Here again, Michelin’s deep foundation of expertise in rubber compounds and grip additives has led to the development of EV ready tires offering the ultimate in traction and excellent wet and dry braking. Michelin is a leader in tire technology for enhancing a tire’s wet and dry grip, such as through both symmetric and asymmetric tread patterns, extreme silica+ tread compounds and 360-degree variable sipe technology.
Speaking of putting on the brakes, an EV’s regenerative braking is another factor to consider when understanding why EVs need specific tires. An electric vehicle is designed to capture some of the energy generated during braking. When a driver takes their foot off the accelerator at higher speeds, an ICE vehicle will simply coast whereas an EV will implement regenerative braking when not accelerating. The frequency of regenerative braking varies across EVs but always involves the tires, and accordingly, tire wear.
One subject you often hear about related to tires for electric vehicles is rolling resistance. Tires for all vehicles need minimal rolling resistance to be fuel-efficient and eco-friendly.
Fitting your EV with suitable tires ensures you get optimal battery range.
How do tires improve range? Keep in mind that to move an object, you need to give it energy. And between the energy it receives and the energy it gives back in the form of movement, there is always some loss, dissipated as heat, because the tire must relay some energy to the ground. This is called rolling resistance.
Rolling resistance, also called rolling friction, is the force resisting motion when a tire rolls on a surface. Gas-powered vehicles use more fuel to offset rolling resistance whereas electric vehicles use more battery power, impacting an EV’s range on a single charge.
Electric cars are so much more efficient than ICE vehicles because they do not waste a lot of energy through heat loss and engine friction. Thus, the relatively small amount of energy they lose to rolling resistance plays a much more significant role in an EV’s power-loss profile.
Michelin has long been a market leader in developing the fuel efficiency of its tires through technologies that minimize rolling resistance, such as tire compounds and exclusive tread design. This expertise is now more important than ever when it comes to EV-specific tires and the need to limit energy loss through tire deformation. Choosing a tire where the rolling resistance has been engineered down to a minimum will greatly enhance your vehicle’s overall efficiency and deliver a long-lasting drive.
The other big difference in tires optimized for electric vehicles is how they contribute to a quiet, comfortable ride. That might seem counterintuitive. EVs are known for being so quiet compared to their gas-powered relatives. However, those noisy engines actually also mask the noise created when driving down the street. While in the quiet of an EV, there are few additional sounds to block out the cacophony of road and tire noise.
EV Ready tires have been designed to reduce noise levels transferred to the passenger cabin through acoustic dampening foam and tread design. Some Michelin tire lines reduce cabin noise by 20 percent*, thanks to Michelin Acoustic Technology, a vibration-absorbent polyurethane foam ring inside the tire. Michelin-developed PIANO noise reduction technology also plays an important part by tuning the shape of the tread blocks and tire grooves to tune out unwanted frequencies from the tire's noise profile.
Ultimately, the choice of tires for an EV involves setting your priorities. Are you concerned about range and an extended drive? Then a tire optimized for low rolling resistance will get you farther on a single charge, such as Michelin Primacy tires. Looking for an unmatched driving experience with a quiet and comfortable ride? Our Pilot EV tires have been engineered to deliver performance without the noise.
If tire wear is your biggest concern, you’ll want a tire made to last, such as the Michelin Defender line. Some EV owners are more concerned about safety and traction, especially if they live in wintery climates. Proven all-season performance tires like the Michelin CrossClimate2 gives drivers confidence in any weather, offering superior stopping power and excellent wet and dry braking, or even special winter tires, such as the Michelin-X Ice Snow tire.
One of the decisions EV owners face when shopping replacement tires for their electric car is whether or not to stay with OE tires, the original equipment tires designed for their vehicle. And while OE tires have been optimized for a particular vehicle and offer many advantages, the choice of a replacement tire ultimately comes down to the vehicle owner’s priorities. Knowing what is important to you for your driving experience — range, noise, wear or traction — can help you best determine the right tire for your electric vehicle.
As for any other tires, there are two main ways you can protect your EV tires and thereby optimize their lifetime: maintenance and driving style.
EV tire maintenance involves monitoring the pressure, alignment and wear. The pressure should be adapted depending on the load being carried. But how do you find out the ideal tire pressure? It’s simple! Cars feature a sticker from the manufacturer, often inside the driver’s door or fuel cap, which indicates the recommended pressure for specific tire sizes. There are also recommendations according to whether the car is loaded or not.
Eco-driving is an expression we hear more and more these days and with good reason. With the objective of reducing energy consumption, the right driving style not only maximizes the range of an electric vehicle but it also optimizes tire quality and performance.
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Michelin's decades of innovation in tires has positioned us to deliver technologies aligned with your priorities for EV tires. Michelin tires are EV ready, thanks to our 30-plus years of innovation in tire wear, tire noise reduction and low rolling resistance. In this new era of mobility where electric vehicles are reshaping what a tire needs to deliver, Michelin is already ahead of the curve and well positioned to offer the optimal tire for electric vehicles.
For more facts and figures about EV tires, visit our FAQ page or our EV Tires page with links to in-depth articles about electric cars and tires. Use the Tire Selector module here below to start shopping for the right tire for your vehicle or visit the Shop EV Tires page for an overview of Michelin’s EV ready tires.
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(1) Based on internal wet braking tests from 50 MPH using tires buffed to 3/32" remaining tread depth, in size 235/55R18 on a Toyota RAV4 where the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire had an average stopping distance of 142.9 ft against Continental® CrossContact™ LX25 with an average stopping distance of 195.8 ft and the Goodyear® Assurance® WeatherReady® with an average stopping distance of 198.6 ft; and in size 215/55R17 on a Toyota Camry where the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire had an average stopping distance of 181.0 ft versus the Bridgestone® Turanza™ QuietTrack™ with an average stopping distance of 216.2 ft and the Continental® PureContact™ LS with an average stopping distance of 227.8 ft. Actual on-road results may vary.
(2) Based on U.S. Department of Transportation Average Annual Miles per driver (13,500 miles). Treadwear test performed in size 235/55R18 on Chevrolet Equinox vehicles where the Michelin CrossClimate2 showed an estimated life (based on calculating the most-worn groove of a rotated set) of 67,300 miles versus the Continental® CrossContact™ LX25 at 58,100 miles and the Goodyear® Assurance® WeatherReady® at 52,000 miles; and tested in size 215/55R17 on Toyota Camry vehicles were the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire showed an estimated life (based on calculating the most-worn groove of a rotated set) of 61,100 miles versus the Bridgestone® Turanza™ QuietTrack™ at 47,300 miles and the Continental® PureContact™ LS at 54,700 miles. Actual on-road results may vary.
(3) Based on internal dry braking tests from 60 MPH using tires in size 235/55R18 on a Toyota RAV4 where the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire had an average stopping distance of 113.0 ft against Continental® CrossContact™ LX25 with an average stopping distance of 121.1 ft and the Goodyear® Assurance® WeatherReady® with an average stopping distance of 129.8 ft; and in size 215/55R17 on a Toyota Camry were the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire had an average stopping distance of 115.3 ft versus the Bridgestone® Turanza™ QuietTrack™ with an average stopping distance of 124.2 ft and the Continental® PureContact™ LS with an average stopping distance of 120.4 ft. Actual on-road results may vary.
(4) Based on third-party snow traction tests using ASTM Test Method F-12, using tires buffed to 3/32" remaining tread depth. When compared to Standard Reference Test Tire (SRTT), in size 235/55R18 the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire scored 93 compared against the Continental® CrossContact™ LX25 tire which scored 63 and the Goodyear® Assurance® WeatherReady® tire which scored 65; and when compared to SRTT, in size 215/55R17 the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire scored 90 when compared against the Bridgestone® Turanza™ QuietTrack™ which scored 62 and the Continental® PureContact™ LS which scored 59. Actual on-road results may vary.
Electric vehicles and low emission hybrid cars are driving the transformation of mobility as we know it. This means it’s time to learn more about the high-tech tires that keep them rolling into an emission-free future. While we don’t quite have to reinvent the wheel, we need to focus on certain aspects of the tire to ensure optimal performance for electric cars. Depending on the vehicle concept, the tire-related requirements can vary from insignificant to significant. Find out about changing tire requirements and our tire innovations at Continental that fulfill the requirements for the electric age.
Compared to combustion cars, electric drive technology lowers engine noise, emissions, maintenance and running costs. However, one consequence of the many electric vehicle benefits is a significant increase in weight. Batteries are heavy and their weight places additional strain on electric car tires.
Electric engine torque also has a positive and negative side. On the one hand, it means instant acceleration. On the other hand, this high instant torque places additional strain on the tires.
Buying tires that can carry the weight of your car is always important, but it is crucial when choosing an electric car tire. Effectively, due to the weight of EVs, you need stronger tires. You can for example consider XL tires which have been especially developed for use with heavy loads.
A tire’s rolling resistance takes on an even greater importance for electric cars. Lower rolling resistance means increased electric range and higher efficiency, while also contributing to your car’s overall sustainability. Our EcoContact™ 6 strikes an optimal balance between tire size and component distribution. A high-tech compound provides robust connections between the silica and the rubber. This allows an optimal adaptation to varying road conditions, which ultimately improves the tire’s rolling resistance and consumption.
More weight also means longer braking distance. A good tire can make up for that, so it’s important to use the best rubber compound possible. Our EcoContact™ 6, for example, relies on its premium Green Chilli 2.0 compound with grip additives for improved braking performance, even for heavier EVs.
In the absence of engine sound, low noise tires contribute to a smooth and silent driving experience by reducing the amount of tire noise transferred to the passenger cabin. Our tire technology ContiSilent™ is a tire noise-reducing technology which is designed to reduce interior noise on all road surfaces and leads to a greater comfort. ContiSilent™ helps reduce interior vehicle noise up to 9 dB(A), depending on the type of vehicle, its speed and the road surface. It is also available for the EcoContact™ 6 and is compatible with all commonly available rims.
To increase EV tire longevity, maintenance is especially important. As with other tires, you should check the air pressure of your electric vehicle tires regularly and adjust if necessary. Correct wheel alignment will reduce tire wear and should be checked every 6 months, or sooner if you have hit a curb, pothole or other obstacle. An expert can check excessive wear, especially on the inside edge of the tire, and will recommend alignment or rotation, as needed.
If possible, replace tires with original equipment models, which were not only designed for the needs of electric vehicles, but specifically made to fit the precise model you are driving. Continental has provided original equipment tires for Tesla and the Volkswagen ID.3.
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