Why are EV tires more expensive?

5 Reasons why EV tires are more expensive than regular tires

EV tires have to carry more weight

Electric vehicles weigh more than conventional ICE vehicles due to the weight of the battery packs. In fact, an EV weighs about 10% to 20% more than a comparably sized ICE vehicle (depending on the range of the battery). If fitted with conventional tires, they’d wear out almost 20% faster. That means EV tires must be designed to handle a heavier load, and that requires more expensive raw materials like aramid fibers instead of steel.

If your EV came equipped with tires carrying the HL load rating, you must replace them with the same load rating.

EVs require lower rolling resistance to get maximum range from the battery

Low rolling resistance is important for fuel economy in all vehicles, but it’s even more critical for EV tires. Since range is such an issue with EVs, extending battery range by lowering the tires’ rolling resistance just makes sense. So they’re tires are made differently, using different rubber compounds, tread designs, and interior tire structure. Those changes raise their price.

Since air pressure directly affects rolling resistance, keeping EV tires properly inflated in all climates is even more important, since it affects battery range.

Notice the difference in the center tread

EV tires must handle more traction

The on-demand torque in an EV can be considerably higher than a comparably sized ICE vehicle. So EV tires must be made from a stronger and more durable rubber to handle the increased friction. New tread block designs and a more prominent center section are used to help weight distribution and create higher friction contact patches with the road.  In addition tire makers incorporate interlocking grooves in the tread pattern to prevent hydroplaning and compensate for the increase in torque.

They must reduce noise
One of the advantages of an EV is the lack of ICE noise. So carmakers expend extra effort to keep the cabin quiet and tires play a role there as well. Once again, special tread patterns, along with better rubber compounds and sound-absorbing foam help keeps things quiet. But they also add to the cost.

The extra weight and the way owners drive their EVs means that the tires must be more durable. To get that kind of durability, tire makers use high-loading resins and silica extracted natural resources.

©, 2022 Rick Muscoplat