‘My electric hatchback is as heavy as a Jeep – I needed new tyres after 7,500 miles’ (2024)
Drivers face ‘astronomical’ costs as hefty vehicles dramatically increase wear
Electric car buyers should be aware of the “astronomical” costs required to regularly replace short-lived tyres, owners have warned.
Car lover Jim Bassett managed just 7,500 miles in his brand new Volkswagen ID.3 before being quoted more than £300 to replace the rear rubber.
The 80-year-old stumped up the cash after being told it was common practice for tyres on his rear-wheel model to degrade rapidly due to the weight of the vehicle .
Due to its heavy battery, the £35,000 hatchback weighs around 1,800kg – the same as a Jeep Wrangler 4x4.
Fellow ID.3 owners have taken to online forums to also complain of short tyre life, blaming degradation on the hefty weight and instant torque of the car.
Mr Bassett, of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was told they needed replacing.
“I’m quite old and have had cars all my life – I’ve never had to change tyres this early, it’s normally been at around 25,000 miles.
“It amazed me, as at 7,500 miles tyres are virtually new.
“The VW dealership expressed no surprise or concern that they needed replacing so soon, saying that ‘the car is rear-wheel drive and very heavy’.”
Mr Bassett opted to go to a different tyre garage instead, but a mechanic came to the same conclusion and he was quoted £165 to replace both of the rears.
“I think more people should be aware that EVs have an appetite for tyres and they won’t last long,” he said.
“When I was working I was regularly doing 45,000 miles a year. If I had this car then, I’d be faced with paying £300 six times a year just to replace the rears, which would be astronomical.”
Mr Bassett said he will now think twice about buying an EV in the future due to his experience with premature tyre life. His front pair are now almost in need of a change after surviving only marginally longer than the rears.
The strain on EV tyres comes as a result of both the extra weight and higher torque, the twisting power that launches a car from a standing start.
Road safety charity Tyresafe said: “All that power at any speed in a heavy vehicle means if the driver regularly accelerates hard, the tyres are put under tremendous strain, fighting to grip the road and not spin.”
Due to the greater acceleration speed, manufacturers advise drivers to be delicate on the throttle to prolong tyre life.
Volkswagen, which first launched the ID.3 in 2019, said that driver performance is the key factor impacting tyre wear.
A spokesman said: “Tyre longevity is influenced by a wide range of factors, most importantly the way in which the vehicle is driven, for example, hard cornering, braking and acceleration can cause more wear than gentle driving.”
VW also said that “types of road surfaces, temperature, correct maintenance of tyre pressures; care when parking; and the amount of load the vehicle carries” all impact the level of degradation.
Tyre manufacturer Michelin has previously said that conventional tyres wear out around 20pc faster in an electric vehicle, while Goodyear said they can degrade as much as 50pc faster.
Last year, research by technology firm Epyx found that, on average, tyres fitted to EVs lasted 6,350 fewer miles than those on petrol or diesel cars. The first tyre change for electric cars takes place after an average of 17,985 miles, compared to 24,335 miles for petrol and diesel cars.
Tyre makers are continuing to develop bespoke EV rubber suited to the heavier vehicles, but they can come at a greater cost for drivers. Epyx found that the average tyre cost £207 for larger electric vehicles – £77 higher than the cost for larger petrol cars.
Department for Transport data from 2015 to 2018 showed that 46pc of electric car MOT failures were caused by tyres, compared to 32pc for petrol cars.
EVA England, an association for electric car drivers, said despite the claims, zero-emission vehicles are “highly reliable”.
“Experiences such as these point towards anecdotal evidence rather than the general use case,” a spokesman said.
“The vast majority of EV drivers report they are overwhelmingly enjoying the experience, and over 90pc would never return to petrol or diesel.”
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Lithium-ion batteries, common in EVs, add significant weight and affect the vehicle's weight distribution. This increased weight puts extra strain on the tires, particularly during cornering and braking. As the car turns, the tires experience lateral forces that wear down the tread more quickly.
While tires on gas-powered vehicles can last between 50,000 to 75,000 miles or more, EV owners are finding out their tires might last between only 7,000 - 10,000 miles. The problem is the weight of the car and the torque load stress on the tires. Electric vehicles have had a tough stretch of late.
As tyres for electric vehicles carry a heavier load and have to withstand high instant torque, so tyres with stronger construction and more robust rubber compounds are required, especially as longer braking distances are typically involved.
Inspect tyres regularly and if you notice the tread wearing more heavily on one side, your wheels may be out of alignment so get a professional's guidance. Assuming you do drive sensibly and look after your tyres, you can expect to get between 20,000 and 30,000 miles out of them.
Your tire size plays a significant role in determining comfort, handling, safety, and range. Generally, smaller tires offer greater range. If you're looking to optimize range, you want narrow tires with wider sidewalls, since they weigh less and require less energy to initiate motion.
Yes, the cost of EV tires is higher compared to regular tires. While prices can change depending on the kinds of tires EV cars and drivers need, the cost of EV tires typically ranges between $150 to $300. This price is for touring tires on EV cars.
Tires. Unfortunately, the tires on hybrid vehicles can wear down faster than those of traditional vehicles. This can happen for a couple of reasons: Weight Distribution: Hybrid and fully electric vehicles (EVs) have to store their large, heavy battery packs somewhere.
Do EV brakes last longer? Yes, electric vehicle brakes tend to last longer than their conventional counterparts. It's the electric motor within EVs that does most of the work on slowing the vehicle down, which means there's less wear and tear on EV brakes.
While EVs can drive on standard ICE tires, they cannot drive on any tires. EVs require tires with thicker sidewalls to support the additional weight and lower rolling resistance for efficiency.
Can I Use Normal Tyres On My Electric Vehicle? While you can fit normal car tyres to an EV, it is not recommended. According to Cnet.com, a normal road tyre can wear 30% faster when used on an electric vehicle.
You can replace EV tires with standard tires. However, we strongly recommend you follow the carmaker's guidelines for the electric car model you drive. These tires are made to give your vehicle the best range, handle the weight of the battery pack, withstand the increased acceleration of an EV, and more.
If you drive an EV, you can officially say goodbye to oil changes, as electric cars do not use oil. They do, however, require brake fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid changes. Take a moment to learn more about maintenances requires for EVs like the Jaguar I-PACE.
A driver of a sedan is more looking for safety and driving comfort. Michelin has created two ranges of specific tyres for electric cars: MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV and MICHELIN e·Primacy. Each range offers different performance balances depending on what you are looking for.
When to Replace EV Tires? The lifespan of EV tires typically ranges from 20,000 to 40,000 miles before requiring replacement. However, this mileage can vary depending on individual driving habits and road conditions.
Due to their battery packs Tesla's weight more than the average vehicle. This added weight places more pressure on the tires. The added pressure increases friction between the tires and the road. This results in accelerated tire wear.
Not only are EV's heavier, but they also accelerate a lot more quickly. Those higher surges of instant torque, plus the added overall vehicle weight does increase tire wear. Another factor that accelerates tire wear is that EV tires are designed to roll lightly so they take less energy to move your vehicle forward.
There's no particular time requirement for when an EV needs its tires rotated, but a good rule of thumb is every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, no matter the powertrain.
Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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