One of the UK’s biggest tyre safety charities has warned that many motorists may be unwittingly putting their lives at risk by choosing the wrong tyres for their EV.
It’s a little know fact that the tyres fitted to an electric vehicle can often have significant differences to traditional tyres. The charity TyreSafe is warning EV owners that fitting the wrong type of tyre could result in loss of range, extra noise, accelerated wear and the risk of failing while being driven, which could result in a serious incident.
One key reason why tyres for electric vehicles are typically different to those of a petrol or diesel car is weight. At present, battery packs are extremely heavy, even more so than traditional engines, making EVs overall heavier than a petrol or diesel engine model.
That weight is ultimately carried by the tyres. Without adaptation to compensate for this weight, the tyres would be susceptible to premature wearing, much more quickly than an owner is used to, making replacement far more frequent. As a result, EV tyres are constructed to carry the higher loadings, are reinforced and may carry the HL loading markings.
While safety has to be the key concern when choosing the correct tyres, the range can also be affected by the incorrect tyre choice, a prime concern for those constantly worried they’ll be left without charge on a long journey. And with quieter engines, it is important that the tyre selection is suitable to ensure that it does not hinder the quiet cabin environment.
Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe, Chair, said: “Tyres are an extremely sophisticated piece of technology, which we all too commonly take for granted. However, drivers of electric vehicles must be aware of how different they could be to those on other cars, and when it’s time to replace the original tyres, owners need to ensure they are buying the right specification. Choosing a like-for-like tyre will allow EV owners to enjoy the full benefit of the electric car revolution and reduce the risks of an incident.”