Advert
Electric vehicles have taken the automobile industry by storm. They have given consumers an option to reduce their carbon footprint, save on petrol costs, and enjoy luxurious cars at affordable prices, all by buying an electric vehicle. With that being said, electric vehicles are quite different from traditional automobiles. An important difference is the type of tyres used in these cars.
In this article, we will be discussing the difference between the tyres used in electric vehicles compared to other traditional automobiles.
Electric vehicle tyres are different from regular tyres. This difference is that the way an electric vehicle works is very different from a typical combustion engine vehicle.
Electric vehicles have a heavier weight because of the battery in the car; they also have greater torque and acceleration. To support these changes in the electric vehicle, the tyres also have to change.
Below we have discussed in detail how these tyres differ from regular tyres:
Weight: Electric vehicle tyres have to be designed to withstand heavy weight. This heavy weight can be accredited to the batteries present in an electric vehicle to store energy. As the vehicle’s weight increases, so does the wear on the tyres. Regular car tyres are not designed to withstand such heavy loads over long periods. The EV tyres are, therefore, built to withstand this weight and not wear out as quickly.
Noise: Electric vehicles make no noise. There is no combustion engine present to make noise, so it’s pretty much a silent car. Because of this reason, road noise from the tyres can become a lot more enhanced because there isn’t any engine noise to drown the sound. This is why electric vehicle tyres have special treads, sound-absorbing foams, and rubber compounds to minimise the road noise from the tyres.
Grip: An electric vehicle’s response is faster than a regular car when you press the accelerator. Since there is no process of combustion, so there is no delay in the release of energy. This allows for quicker acceleration compared to a regular car. But this quicker acceleration comes at a price. If regular tyres are used, they wouldn’t be able to grip the road fast enough, and the tyres would slip in their position.
This is why electric vehicle tyres have been specially designed to withstand the torque produced by the vehicle. Electric vehicle tyres have been designed with a special wide and stiff centre rib-like pattern. This allows for reduced abrasion and slippage. In addition to this, the tread has a special interlocking groove pattern that will prevent hydroplaning. This interlocking groove pattern also helps to manage the increase in torque.
Rolling Resistance: It is important to reduce rolling resistance to lose less energy as the tyre rolls against the road. Less energy loss makes the battery more efficient. Therefore, electric vehicle tyres have tyre profile, design pattern, rubber compounds, and structure, all working in tandem to reduce the rolling resistance, making the battery more efficient.
Durability: Making sure the tyres last a long time is also important for electric vehicle tyres. This is where the tyre’s durability comes into play. For the EV tyres to be durable, they are made with special compounds. Two of these compounds are silica and high-loading resin. Other rubber compounds are incorporated to make these tyres far more durable than regular tyres.
So these are the few ways in which electric vehicle tyres differ from regular tyres. The needs of the electric vehicle are different hence the difference in tyre technology.
Tyre Pressure
It is important to have properly inflated tyres. If your tyres are underinflated, you will be causing extra wear to your tyres, which will reduce the lifespan of the tyres.
Check the pressure every couple of weeks, and if they are underinflated, then inflate them to the right pressure.
Tread Depth
Electric vehicles require more road grip compared to regular cars. This is because of the high torque and acceleration they provide. The tread depth mainly determines road grip; if your tyres are balding, your chances of slippage increase drastically.
The ideal tread is ¾ inches, but ½ inch will work. The way to check tread depth is by inserting a coin between the treads. The coin should move ¾ of the way into the tread. If not, it’s time to change the tyres.
Also, remember to check all four tyres. Wear on tyres can be uneven and so one tyre could be completely fine whereas another could be balding.
Off-Roading With EV Tyres
If you’re planning to take your electric vehicle off-roading or for a rural area drive, check the tyres beforehand for punctures and damage. We recommend changing your regular tyres for good off-roading tyres built specifically for rough terrains.
Rotate The Tyres
It is recommended to rotate your tyres after every 8,000 km. This is done to make sure the tyres undergo even wear and tear. For electric vehicles, we recommend reading the manual for instructions on rotation. Usually, rotation depends on whether the vehicle is a front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive.
Tyre Alignment
Getting your tyres aligned is very important. This ensures that all tyres are bearing the vehicle’s load and no one tyre is undergoing more wear than the others.
If the car’s alignment is out of balance, you will notice that its battery isn’t giving the same type of range it gave before. This is why electric vehicles need to get their alignment done.
Visual Inspection
Lastly, it would help if you inspected the vehicle’s tyres visually. You will be able to see any damage, punctures, or other issues with the tyre. This, however, can only happen if the tyres are clean. So also make sure you clean your tyres regularly.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand how different electric vehicle tyres are from regular tyres. The technology they are made with is far more advanced than regular tyres. If you own an electric vehicle, then make sure to take good care of those tyres because a lot of work has gone into making those tyres perfect.
