I think that the most important reason for special tires is that EVs are heavier than vehicles of the same class and have a lot more torque. Range also matters more than an ICE vehicle although the marginal gains are becoming less important.

In the video he spends a lot of time to say that rolling resistance doesn’t vary among tires all that much - so don’t spend lots of money on an EV specific tire, just buy an expensive high quality premium tire instead.

 

At 50k km my OEM tyres were done.
The dealer wanted to fit Conti UX7. Looked to be a great tyre but others had complained it was noisy and didn't contain the foam.
I was quite happy with the OEM PremiumContact 6.
I went to my usual large tyre shop and they convinced me they knew nothing about EV tyres and didn't care.. I could take what they offered or not.
I had a quick look at google reviews and found a local shop that didn't have horrific reviews.. wow that was an eye opener!
They listened. They searched their options. They contacted the distributor. Not much available but they could get them from interstate.
They negotiated and installed them for the same price as the UX7 at the dealer.
I went with Hankook ION EV AS SUV which others had reported as OK but not as sporty but longer wearing.
I find them noticeably quieter and very little difference in performance. I'd say they reward slightly higher tyre pressure.

 

I have never believed that there is a need to buy EV specific tires. IMO it is marketing BS to suck a bit more cash out of my wallet. Foam liners are about the only thing that they may provide that any other high quality tire does not. And the negatives of having foam liners - potential imbalances if the foam shifts and difficulty finding a shop that will repair foam lined tires if needed - outweigh the marginal noise reduction provided. Yes, EVs are generally heavier than a comparably sized ICE vehicle, but it is easy to find non-EV specific tires with load ratings equal to or higher than that of the original equipment tire. Higher torque really isn't an issue because the amount of torque that can be transferred to the road is limited by the traction of the tire - once it starts to slip or spin, torque has reached its limit. Just choose any high-quality tire that has good traction and temperature sidewall ratings, desired weather capabilities, and good reviews for noise level.

BTW... I am somewhat envious that your tyres receive fuel consumption ratings. It would be a helpful addition to the tires that we can buy here in the States.

 

Unless you drive spiritedly for most of the time so you need a high performance tire, buy a tire that matches your environmental needs. As in, if you live in an area where it never snows or gets cold, you can run a summer tire all year long or an all-season (not all-weather) touring tire for, usually, less money. Spending the money on something like a Michelin CrossClimate when there's no reason to is just throwing money away.

But, here's something that video doesn't actually show. EV marketed tires aren't actually more expensive than other grand touring all-season tires (in America), and they're usually cheaper than tires in the high performance category. The former is the category they're competing in, and not the standard touring or highway focused tires. And if you look at the reviews Tire Rack does, there are actual performance/safety benefits (most importantly, wet weather handling/hydroplaning/braking) that grand touring tires have over standard touring/highway tires.

This is the same cost/performance trade off any car owner is faced with when it's time to replace their tires. In the US, to make that jump from highway/touring to grand touring/EV costs about 30-80 bucks a tire. The efficiency bump is nice but more important to me is being able to stop dozens of feet sooner than a cheaper tire

 

I would appreciate all comments.
I have EV6 RW drive fitted with KUMHO EV specific tyres , no doubt with the foam liners inside to reduce road noise.
As all manufacturers charge more for these tyres, are we being ripped off ?
Are we better buying a quality brand with A rating fuel consumption, A rating wet grip/ braking performance , and a decent decibel rating Normal Tyre ?

see on YOUTUBE EV Bunk Blasters Ep. 5: What Tire Companies Won't Tell EV Owners!
RODDES

I have never believed that there is a need to buy EV specific tires. IMO it is marketing BS to suck a bit more cash out of my wallet. Foam liners are about the only thing that they may provide that any other high quality tire does not. And the negatives of having foam liners - potential imbalances if the foam shifts and difficulty finding a shop that will repair foam lined tires if needed - outweigh the marginal noise reduction provided. Yes, EVs are generally heavier than a comparably sized ICE vehicle, but it is easy to find non-EV specific tires with load ratings equal to or higher than that of the original equipment tire. Higher torque really isn't an issue because the amount of torque that can be transferred to the road is limited by the traction of the tire - once it starts to slip or spin, torque has reached its limit. Just choose any high-quality tire that has good traction and temperature sidewall ratings, desired weather capabilities, and good reviews for noise level.

BTW... I am somewhat envious that your tyres receive fuel consumption ratings. It would be a helpful addition to the tires that we can buy here in the States.

Hi
I liked the comment about having had a puncture repair, carried out on a foam filled tyre, , and that section of foam was removed and then stuck back only to come loose later and cause vibration.
I took my EV6 in for a puncture repair yesterday, and the tyre fitter said he normally rips all the foam out and does not replace it. I said fine RODDES

 

When my factory Kumhos wore out, after much reading of reviews and uncertainty as to what tire to replace them with, I finally chose the Continental Cross Contact LX25 , partly due to their high treadwear rating (for what good those are). It's not an "EV" tire, although they make some nebulous claim about efficiency. After about 8k miles I'm still very happy with them (they were fine in our last New England winter). My biggest concern was taking a range hit, but I haven't really seen a difference - maaaybe 0.1 miles/kWh. The only thing I noticed was a bit more road noise (no foam), but we got used to this as the new normal in about a day. The car is still quieter than anything else I own.
I don't know if it helped or not, but this tire was available in our size, with two different load ratings, one of which was higher than the factory load rating. I choose that one, hoping that maybe a stiffer sidewall would lower the rolling resistance a bit.

 

I don't know if it helped or not, but this tire was available in our size, with two different load ratings, one of which was higher than the factory load rating. I choose that one, hoping that maybe a stiffer sidewall would lower the rolling resistance a bit.

Only comment is the higher load rating with stiffer sidewalls would contribute to a harsher ride which is not nice. You want to reduce rolling resistance, buy narrower tyres. I run 235's and have not found any negatives.

 

It's rides just fine. I really didn't notice a difference.

 

But, here's something that video doesn't actually show. EV marketed tires aren't actually more expensive than other grand touring all-season tires (in America), and they're usually cheaper than tires in the high performance category.

Exactly! The EV rating does not seem to be that much of a markup, and it lets people know that the tire is suitable for their car. In the worst case, if the tire blows and causes a fatality you are going to be hearing “non EV-rated tire” from the opposing lawyers incessantly - and it would be on your side to prove that the non-EV tire was functionally the same. If an EV rated tire blows, the tire company lawyers are going to do the heavy lifting.

Tires do blow, look at the Firestone disaster.

 

The EV features are things like low rolling resistance and sound dampening foam. You aren't going to get sued because your tires aren't quiet enough.

Load rating is another thing. The OEM Kumhos are 101, as long as your new tires are that or better you're fine, EV or not.

The Firestone/Ford Explorer tire issue was a combination of factors. The tires were weak, but Ford under inflated them to improve the ride (only 26psi) and the top heavy Explorers were prone to rolling if a tire blew.

 

Interesting video worth viewing..... Everything You Need To Know About Electric Car Tires by Engineering Explained

 

If people want actual testing of tires, Tire Rack has done testing on ev specific tires vs all-weather/all-season and performance/sport tires in dry, wet, and eventually snow/ice for two years now.

 

I went from the continental crosscontacts (after about 60k kms) to a relatively affordable set of hankook ion evo tires that were “EV” specific, but mainly that was the addition of some foam to keep them quiet and the tread reduces some rolling resistance.

I did find a difference when they were first put on where the steering felt a bit lighter and I’m down a few kwh/100kms on average, but that could just be the fact that my old tires were pretty much at their end of life when they were replaced.

 

I would appreciate all comments.
I have EV6 RW drive fitted with KUMHO EV specific tyres , no doubt with the foam liners inside to reduce road noise.
As all manufacturers charge more for these tyres, are we being ripped off ?
Are we better buying a quality brand with A rating fuel consumption, A rating wet grip/ braking performance , and a decent decibel rating Normal Tyre ?

see on YOUTUBE EV Bunk Blasters Ep. 5: What Tire Companies Won't Tell EV Owners!
RODDES

2022 EV6. AWD WIND TECH.
Jjust put my third set of tires at 157,000 miles. When I went to put on the 2nd set I asked for whatever tire KIA recommended for my car. The looked up and discovered the Khumo put the original tires out if production. He suggested going with what KIA was now recommended. We did. Now the 3rd set we repeated. I hear and read a lot of people going on and on. Just ask yourself if what you are hearing makes sense. If it does, do it. If it doesn't don't do it.

Put what Kia suggests on. After all, who has more experience with an EV6, you, the manufacturer or me. Of course it's me. But the dealer is catching up fast. Stop taking everything so seriously, no one else does.

Look it's just a car and it's just a tire. If you drive with any respect for your machine and others on the road you will be fine. Do you really care if you get 65,000 or 59,000 miles.

BTW, my KIA dealer smoked everyone's price. And included 2 yrs road hazard. I drive in Nashville where the construction guys empty cases of nails into streets. No fewer than a flat a month! Nothing but a smile from my advisor.

Have a g good day and take a little life lesson from an old man.

Frank

 

I'm pushing 40K on my EV6 and will be in the market for tires before long. I was going to go with the Hankook EVOs but now I think I will choose the replacements based on wet traction. Range is not an issue with me and driving in the rain is the most dangerous time so will probably not buy an EV specific tire.

 

IMHO yes, don't bother with the lined tyres. I had a problem in 2024 with my EV6 wobbling uncontrollably over 50 mph. It was so bad that the front passenger seat was visibly vibrating backwards and forwards by 5 or 6 inches. I couldn't hold a conversation whilst driving, and it was really uncomfortable with the whole car vibrating. I had the wheels balanced but that made no difference. Eventually I discovered the foam had become detached in one of the front tyres, and had all bunched up in one place. I ended up having to get rid of the front tyres, even with a lot of wear left. I replaced with Michelin's that did not have a foam insert, and I found them to be excellent. I did not notice any additional road noise, and the foam problem will never happen again.

 

At 40k miles i replaced my 2022 ev6 AWD Wind tires with Michelin defender 2 tires, rated as low rolling resistance and with 80k mile warranty, about $1200 US. I noticed a bit more road noise which within a little time I’ve gotten used to and no longer notice. I also noticed a slight loss in range ONLY at highway speeds (75 mph), about 3%. Ive noticed NO loss in mixed driving. Everything is a trade off. Ive traded a slight loss in performance for longevity and reasonable cost.