Are new energy tires really necessary when they are so expensive?

New energy vehicles are powered by electric motors that draw power from batteries. They are heavier by design, and the powerful motors provide more torque than combustion equivalents. These characteristics put additional stress on the vehicle's tires, affecting wear, ride, and traction.

Due to the lack of any official Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations to differentiate tire requirements between internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles, the market is flooded with false and misleading information, which has created a lot of confusion about what consumers should do when replacing electric vehicle tires.

There are many variables that affect the life of tires. The direct torque common in electric vehicles, the increased mass, and potential changes in driver behavior can all lead to increased wear. The commonly cited figure in the industry is that electric vehicles have a 20% reduction in tire life compared to equivalent internal combustion engine vehicles.

Regardless of the vehicle type, tires always need the same three things to perform their intended functions: the right tread compound, the right tread pattern, and the right tread depth. Wear will of course affect the depth, but it will also affect the tread pattern, as tires generally lose characteristics as they wear.

In addition to tire wear, new energy tires are more obvious than internal combustion engine tires because there is no influence of engine noise, so higher requirements are placed on tire driving noise during design. Similarly, since new energy vehicles pay great attention to the issue of endurance, they pay more attention to the low rolling resistance of tires. But when you dig deeper, the things that make excellent tires are the same regardless of the vehicle's propulsion method.

Is all-wheel drive more prone to wear than rear-wheel drive?
Assuming that everything else is the same for drifting, the wear between the two should be roughly equal in the end. In the rear-wheel drive example, the rear tires of the vehicle wear more obviously than the front tires. Then, when the tires rotate, those tires that were originally at the rear will take a little break, and the front wheels will bear more. Taking all-wheel drive as an example, wear is more evenly distributed, although it is undeniable that most all-wheel drive vehicles are either front-biased or rear-biased before calling another axle. Even so, no car's tire wear is completely even, so in either case, regular rotation is essential to maximize tire life and keep wear even.

How tire companies design new energy tires
The answer to this question is multifaceted. Yes, some tires are designed from scratch with the intention of being "new energy tires". In the case of being original equipment tires, these tires are adjusted according to the requirements of the automaker. In the case of aftermarket products, they may be developed on a certain new energy vehicle, but generally these tires are more like a "general" new energy vehicle application and provide a balance of performance that the tire manufacturer believes can provide maximum driver satisfaction. There are other new energy vehicle-focused tires with different technical levels.

Some tire companies simply change certain compounds to compounds with lower rolling resistance when designing new energy vehicle tires, and call them "new energy vehicle tires"; in addition, many companies add a layer of silent cotton to the product liner and call it "new energy vehicle tire"; even worse, except for the "new energy vehicle tire logo" on the tire sidewall logo, there is no change, and it will also become a "new energy tire".

How to determine whether it is new energy-specific
It should be noted that any tire that meets the vehicle's load requirements, pressure requirements, and speed requirements can be used on new energy vehicles. In fact, you don't need to match new energy tires because you drive a new energy vehicle. Choose the right tire according to your priorities (quiet, wear-resistant, low rolling resistance, etc.).

Generally, the tire logo will be the most intuitive. For example, Goodyear's "ElectricDrive GT" or Pirelli's "P Zero All-Season Plus Elect", Bridgestone's "Turanza EV" or Michelin's "Pilot Sport EV". Hankook Tire's "iON" series of tires are also electric vehicle-focused. Sometimes it's less obvious. Germany's Continental has begun to print the 'EV Ready' logo on the sidewall of the tire, and sometimes Pirelli will brand it with 'Elect' in small font.

Do EV-focused tires cost more?
While they are not usually the most expensive tires in any given size, EV-focused tires do come with a price premium. It may be that the additional R&D and specialized materials may cost more than more value-oriented products, such as for any tire with silent foam, which is extra material and extra manufacturing steps. But that being said, given that your tire is the only contact point with the road, providing the various, often conflicting attributes expected of a tire requires R&D, the latest manufacturing technology, high-quality materials and good old-fashioned expertise. Generally speaking, 'cheap' tires are just that. Depending on your needs, 'cheap' tires may be the right tires for you.

How to Extend New Energy Tire Life
To maximize tire life, the first step is to make sure your tires are properly inflated. Check them regularly. A tire that is 20% underinflated can reduce tread life by up to 50%. Second, get regular wheel alignments to avoid abnormal wear on your vehicle.