With the rise in popularity of electric vehicles (EV), owners of these vehicles are likely be wondering if they need to do anything differently in terms of providing tires for these cars. According to the tire experts at blackcircles Canada, a nation-wide online tire seller in Canada – if you are driving an EV, then there are some specific guidelines to follow when looking for new tires for electric cars, because not all tires are suitable.
So, do Electric Cars Need Special Tires?
One of the main factors to take into consideration when buying tires for electric cars is that EV cars, overall, tend to be approximately 20 to 30 percent heavier than the average car on the market. This weight mainly comes from the heavy electric batteries that are used to power the engine on your electric vehicle, and add weight to the car. In addition, the instant torque provided by the electric engine – which means your electric car can reach higher speeds in much less time a gas-powered engine, can cause extra wear and tear on tires, and require tires with better tread for safety reasons. The heavier weight, coupled with the instant torque provided, really help answer the question on whether electric cars need special tires – they do.
Another issue to take into consideration when shopping for new tires for your electric car is that you want to purchase a set of tires that can not only take the additional weight of an electric car, but that also generate very low road noise. As electric cars are very quiet when running, you do not want to sully that experience by adding noisy tires! In most cases, finding a tire that doesn’t generate too much road noise, means you want to look at slightly larger or wider tires. Tire noise can also be reduced by the material that the tire is manufactured from, so you want to pay attention to this factor as well when choosing tires for electric cars.
And, just as important when choosing the right set of tires for electric cars, is that you want to make sure the tires you purchase don’t reduce your mileage range. One of the best features of electric cars is the mileage they can achieve with a full electric charge, and it is likely a reason you bought your vehicle. So, when choosing tires for your electric car, you want to make sure that they function in a way that they do not reduce the mileage you can achieve on a full charge.
What are the best winter tires for electric cars?
Of course, living in Canada, you may be faced with also buying a set of winter tires for your electric vehicle. In fact, in some provinces, such as Quebec, installing winter tires on your car is mandatory. So, if you are looking for the best winter tires for electric cars, it’s best to turn to a company that has expertise making recommendations for the best winter tires for electric cars, like the team at blackcircles Canada.
With the additional weight and high torque that come with electric cars, coupled with icy, snowy and wet road conditions, it’s best to look for winter tires that have specialized tread and high resistance to cold if you are looking for winter tires for an electric vehicle. As well, a good set of winter tires that are designed specifically for electric vehicles will ensure that you continue to enjoy your high mileage rating – which is likely one of the main reasons you purchased an EV in the first place – as well as helping reducing the wear and tear on your brakes, as the specialized winter grip can help reduce braking time and ensure your vehicle comes to a safe stop more quickly. With these specialized tires in place, you and your passengers will feel more safe and secure while driving in some of the treacherous winter driving conditions the season can bring.
As you can see, there are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a set of tires – either all-season, all terrain or winter – for your electric vehicle. While it certainly pays to shop around, if you continue to have questions and would like to speak to an expert, please reach out the team at blackcircles Canada, either by instant message, by email or give us a call. Our friendly team of tire experts can help you choose the right tires for your electric vehicle, and in the price range that will meet your budget.
