Electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly common in recent years. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of EVs on the road nearly doubled in 2021 compared to the prior year. And with a global focus on clean energy initiatives, this trend isn’t expected to fade.
If you’re thinking about buying an EV, though, you might be wondering what type of tires they use. All EVs have tires, but they aren’t the same as ordinary car tires. What type of tires do EVs use exactly?
EVs Use Special, Heavy-Duty Tires
They may look like ordinary car tires, but EVs use special tires. EVs use heavy-duty tires that are designed to accommodate more weight. Known as high-load (HL) capacity tires, they are commonly found on EVs.
Weight
One of the reasons EVs use HL capacity tires is because of their weight. EVs typically weigh more than conventional automobiles with an internal combustion engine (ICE). A typical EV weighs about 4,000 to 5,000 pounds. In comparison, cars with an ICE may weigh less than 2,000 to 3,000 pounds.
Batteries are heavy, accounting for up to one-quarter of an EV’s total weight. Vehicles with an ICE don’t have heavy rechargeable batteries, so they weigh less than their EV counterparts. Regardless, most EVs use HL capacity or similar heavy-duty tires because they weigh more than vehicles with an ICE.
Torque
When you press the gas pedal while driving an EV, you may notice that it accelerates very quickly. This is the result of instant torque. EVs don’t generate torque via combustion. Instead, they generate torque electrically via an electric motor.
Thanks to their electric motor, EVs generate torque instantly. Instant torque manifests n faster acceleration, but it can take a toll on an EV’s tires. The tires will turn faster when pressing the gas pedal. To accommodate instant torque, EVs require tires with deep, strong traction.
EV tires must be able to create traction when accelerating. With instant torque, standard car tires may not suffice. Other car tires may feature shallower tread that fails to create traction with instant torque. EV tires, though, are designed to create traction without skidding or slipping with instant torque.
In Conclusion
You can’t use standard car tires on an EV. Due to their weight and torque, EVs require special tires. Most EVs use HL capacity or similar heavy-duty tires. These special tires can accommodate more weight, and they create stronger traction than standard car tires.
