The electric wave has taken the world by storm and the automobile industry is no exception. Electric vehicles have gained mass popularity in recent years because of their environment-friendly features. While the concept has been around for centuries, it is not until recently that people have realised the importance of green transportation for a sustainable environment. However, the electric utopia also has things you should consider. For your electric vehicles you would want nothing but the best and one of the most important things to consider is electric car tyres.
Electric cars are different from conventional petrol cars and so are their requirements. As electric cars are built differently, many of the parts vary including the electric vehicle tyres. Let’s go through a detailed overview of what to look for when choosing electric car tyres.
What are Electric Car Tyres?
Electric cars run on electricity and have a battery for charge storage. The electric batteries make the car heavier making lectric tyres essential for better performance and durability. The EVs you buy generally come with compatible tyres along with a spare tyre. They are custom-built to fulfil the EV car’s requirements. However, when changing the tyres, it is important to ensure they can bear the burden and serve the purpose efficiently. While manufacturing electric car tyres, producers consider numerous variables including:
- Construction techniques
- Rubber compounds
- Sidewall designs
- Tread designs
- Belt arrangement
- Groove width
Factors to Consider When Buying Electric Car Tyres
With time, like all car components, electric vehicle tyres go through a process of wear and tear. The process can pace up with excess or aggressive usage. In this situation you will naturally have to go for a change of tyres. The following factors are important to consider when buying new or replacing electric car tyres:
ADDED VEHICLE WEIGHT
Electric vehicles are traditionally heavier than conventional vehicles particularly because of the added battery weight. A heavy vehicle puts more weight on the tyres, especially the sidewalls. You should select tyres capable of handling the extra weight. Additionally, you can also check out these tips to increase electric car’s battery life and improve your EV experience.
ADDED TORQUE
The extra weight in electric vehicles means increased torque which leads to more strains on electric car tyres. Electric vehicles are capable of instant torque and their tyres should be capable of carrying out the modern vehicle requirements. Given the electric vehicle’s torque, the tyres you choose must be highly durable. The treads should also maintain grip and contact on the road.
MAXIMISED RANGE
The electric vehicle range may have been an issue in the early days but modern EVs come with a good range which means they can be driven for long distances on a single charge. There are several long-range EVs available and you need to go for electric car tyres with low rolling resistance to match the vehicle’s requirements.
LOW NOISE
One of the perks of electric vehicles is they are quiet to drive and don’t have any engine noise. The only noise you might hear from an EV comes from tyres. Case in point: the silent feature is one of the factors that made EVs famous and environment-friendly. For a silent ride, you should consider compatible tyres that are quiet, well-balanced, and account for the vehicle’s weight.
SEASONAL TYRE DEMANDS
Climatic conditions can have an impact on the vehicle’s tyres, particularly, if you reside in a hot region. Keeping that in mind, leading auto brands like Tesla and BMW to name a few, have introduced season-specific tyres. If you are planning to drive in different climatic conditions, you might want to consider getting specific tyres. Additionally, you can follow these tips to take care of your electric cars in hot weather.
DRIVING HABITS
The features of electric car tyres that you select can also depend on your driving habits. Drivers of sporty electric vehicles tend to be heavy on the pedal while others might decide to take it slow. For the former, it is advised to select sturdier tyres that can bear the increased acceleration. Good driving habits such as the use of regenerative braking etc can improve your electric car driving experience.
What Makes Electric Car Tyres Different?
Electric car tyres are different from conventional car tyres in several ways. First up, electric car tyres are built keeping the silent feature of EVs in mind, therefore they don’t produce any sound. Another factor that makes electric car tyres different is the relatively higher prices. The custom-built tyres for EVs can be heavy on the pocket as compared to conventional tyres.
TIPS TO PROTECT ELECTRIC CAR TYRES
Getting new and vehicle-specific tyres is one thing but maintaining them is a different task. Listed below are some tips to help protect your electric car tyres:
CHECK TYRE WEAR
Electric car tyres like conventional tyres will wear out with time. It is advised to check the tyres regularly for cuts, cracks or any other signs of wear. Driving with worn-out tyres can also pose a threat to your safety.
KEEP THE TYRES PROPERLY INFLATED
Ideally, you would want the car tyres to last for as long as possible. One way to ensure tyre longevity is to make sure they are properly inflated at all times. Driving with less air in tyres can cause premature wear.
ENSURE PROPER WHEEL BALANCING
Wheel balancing ensures that tyres wear evenly. Vehicle weight should be distributed evenly between the four tyres. With time, wheels can lose their balance resulting in a bumpy ride.
WHEELS SHOULD BE PROPERLY ALIGNED
You can get the most out of your tyres by ensuring proper wheel alignment. Wheel alignment improves tyre performance, fuel efficiency, tyre wear, manoeuvrability and vehicle handling.
ROTATE THE TYRES
Typically, in a front-wheel drive car, the front tyres will wear quicker than the rear ones. You can switch the tyres back and forth and save money and time.
This was everything you needed to know about the tyres you need for your EVs. Electric car tyres are built differently and for better performance, durability, and enhanced driving experience, it is advised to select vehicle-specific tyres.
Leading tyre manufacturers such as Bridgestone and Michelin have hopped onto the bandwagon and are producing vehicle-specific tyres for major car brands like Tesla, Audi etc. If you are a first-time EV user, check out these tips for new electric car owners and enhance your EV experience.
Want to get an electric car at a reasonable price? Check out these used cars for sale in the UAE and have your pick from a vast variety of electric vehicles listed.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information.
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