Can I Use Regular Tires on an Electric Car?

Choosing tires for your vehicle can be challenging, considering there are so many types and individual options available on the market. When it comes to selecting tires for an electric vehicle (EV), the challenge becomes a little more complicated. A lot of people wonder, including existing and potential EV owners, what kinds of tires are suitable for electric models. If this describes you, find the answer to the question below.

It’s possible to use regular tires on your electric vehicle, but it depends on several factors and may not be advisable in many cases. Outfitting your EV with ordinary tires can lead to adverse effects concerning the vehicle’s performance and your experience behind the wheel unless they meet certain specifications. Generally speaking, tires designed for non-electric vehicles meet a less stringent set of criteria since they have no need to accommodate the factors specific to their electric counterparts.

Electric vs Combustion Tire Considerations

Weight

One such factor is the weight of the vehicle. In general, an EV outweighs a traditional combustion engine vehicle of the same class. The added weight comes primarily from the battery. Large batteries are necessary to provide a large range, and this size can pile on the pounds. The exciting new GMC Hummer EV, for example, weighs over 9,000 pounds — almost 1,000 pounds more than the original H1 — with over 30% of its weight stemming from its 2,923-pound battery. That alone is heavier than some sedans. The Hummer’s tires also have the stress of using the newest feature on the electric Hummer, the crab-walk.

The framework and suspension require reinforcement to support the tremendous battery, and this, too, contributes to the greater weight of the vehicle. The metal used in the frame of an EV is usually thicker and the suspension is more robust. Both necessitate the use of heavier, more resilient materials. The battery also needs added protection in the form of a metal shell. This battery shell has to be heavy-duty to prevent damage that could result in an explosion.

The tires of an EV must be capable of withstanding all of this additional mass. That’s why tires specifically designed for EV use tend to have a greater load-bearing capacity, plus reinforced sidewalls that can handle the strain. If you were to place ordinary tires on an EV, they’d be unlikely to last very long.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance is the force necessary to keep the tires of a vehicle rolling at a particular rate. With higher rolling resistance, a vehicle expends more fuel to overcome the counteracting force of the road, whereas lower rolling resistance facilitates greater fuel efficiency. For an EV, the fuel is battery energy, and being outfitted with low-rolling-resistance tires allows an EV to last longer periods between charges. 

EV-specific tires often possess certain characteristics that allow them to achieve the lowest rolling resistance possible. Factors such as the formulation of the tread compounds, the tread design, and the tire shape can help to minimize the amount of heat the tires generate, which reduces the energy loss associated with rolling resistance. 

Noise

One of the things that EV owners love about their vehicles is the lack of motor noise. However, if it weren’t for the engineering of its tires, an EV would generate a significant amount of noise because of the interaction of the rubber against the road — probably exacerbated by the increased vehicle weight. EV-specific tires address this problem in a couple of ways. One is through the physical design of the tire, particularly concerning its tread block shape, rubber composition, and width. Another is through the use of sound-absorbing material affixed to the inner surface of the tread.

With such measures in place, some EV tires can reduce cabin noise by up to 9 decibels, resulting in a smoother, more enjoyable ride. Ordinary tires may lack the appropriate design and functional features to maintain the quiet that people associate with an electric powertrain.

Torque

EVs have instant torque delivery. This means that when you step down on the pedal, the power delivered to the wheels is immediate, providing impressive acceleration. The tires of an EV must provide greater traction to account for this torque power. Otherwise, the tires might skid and skip on the road as you accelerate from a stop, rather than grip the surface as they should. They could also wear down more quickly as a result.

EV-specific tires can mitigate these potential problems. Their tread design can maximize contact with the road, which helps prevent slippage on initial acceleration. The tread pattern, too, can improve the tires’ grip, helping to ensure that they remain grounded. In some cases, such design factors can further reduce tire noise as well. 

Durability

Factors such as weight and torque directly affect the life span of a tire. According to some figures, using ordinary tires on an EV can cause them to wear out 30% faster. For this reason, EV tires often feature long-lasting treads and other characteristics that extend the length of their usability. The materials and manufacturing technology that go into the production of an EV tire can help it to achieve a level of durability that compensates for the increased rate of wearing, thus providing long-lasting, dependable performance.

If you’d like to learn more about choosing tires or the unique needs of electric vehicles, please feel free to reach out to us. Call us at 330-272-0311 to speak with a specialist or use our contact page to send us a message online. Whichever method you choose, we’d be glad to help you find the information you’re seeking.

You’re also welcome to see us in person at our dealership, located at 7997 Market St. here in Boardman, Ohio. We operate six days a week. Monday through Friday, we’re open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, our hours are 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Drop by to check out our selection of new Buicks and GMCs, as well as our impressive used inventory. Anything you want or need to make an informed decision about your next GM vehicle purchase, we’re happy to provide. 

Image via Flickr by Stradablog | CC by 2.0