Short answer: No.

How does EV tire enter into consumer market?

The renowned Michelin Pilot Sport EV tire, was possibly the first that took the name “Electric Vehicle Tires”. It was first used in Formula e as competition tires (in the year 2014) before releasing to consumer market.

In year 2012 when Tesla Model S was released, it was original equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (with acoustic cotton), and Pirelli PZero (with acoustic cotton). In year 2015 when Tesla Model X was released, its original equipped tire was Michelin Latitude Sport 3 (with acoustic cotton). Both vehicles were not original equipped with EV Tires.

In year 2017 when Tesla Model 3 was released, it’s original equipped with Hankook S1 evo3. Not a EV tire at first.

Then, in the year 2021, Michelin first introduced Pilot Sport EV into consumer market together with Hankook S1 Evo3 EV. EV tire started getting well-known (in HK) in the year 2022 thereafter due to consumers swarming in to purchase Electric Vehicles, especially Tesla Model 3 before the tax exemption ends. (but it was later extended). It was this time Tesla Model 3 was original equipped with Hankook S1 Evo3 EV.

Must You Install EV Tires?

Different customers started asking me this question: “Do you have EV tires?”

They were getting different viewpoints on why electric vehicle needs to install EV tires, like better carrying the weight of the heavy electric vehicle and better traction than normal tires for electric vehicles. People who first drive electric vehicles were convinced that EV tires are better than normal tires for electric vehicles.

Here, I will be showing you the evidence why EV tires are actually the same as normal tires. Thanks to marketing and “expert” to convince you to purchase a more expensive EV tire rather than a normal tire.

i. EV tire carrying more weight than normal tire

This is absolutely wrong. The maximum weight carry by a tire is judged by its loading index. For instance:

Tesla Model Y Tire Size: 255/45 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport EV spec is 104W, whereas Michelin Pilot Sport 5 spec is 104Y. Both tires having the same load capacity.

Hankook S1 Evo 3 EV spec is 104W and 100T.

FK510 spec is 104Y. PS91 spec is 104Y. PS72 spec is 104Y

Let’s look at the lowest loading index shown above: 100 loading, which can support 800kg. 4 tyres together support 3,200kg.
A Tesla Model Y has a weight of around 2,088kg. Assuming 5 adults weight 120kg on the vehicle with 2 luggages (32kg) on it. (A total of 2,752 kg weight) 100 loading index has more than enough to support the weight of a full load Tesla Model Y.

As such, EV tire loading and normal tire loading are good enough to support the weight of a electric vehicle. Furthermore, modern petrol vehicles sometimes are even heavier than electric vehicles. Look at Tesla Model Y weight vs Toyota Vellfire weight above.

ii. EV tire is quieter than normal tire

EV tire not necessarily come with acoustic cotton. Acoustic cotton can reduce noise level but it is an add on products. Examples of EV tire without acoustic cotton include Sailun Erange EV, Kenda KR616 EV, some sizes of Kumho HP71 EV, Michelin e.Primacy and so on.

Normal tires come with acoustic cotton is not a new thing at all. Look back the Tesla Model S Michelin Pilot Sport 3, Latitude Sport 3, Pirelli Pzero. These models have another product line that are already equipped with acoustic cotton. The latest Dunlop Sport Maxx Lux ultra-high performance tire also comes with acoustic cotton.

Obviously, a high-performance tire normally generates higher noise level than a comfort tire. But EV tire does not necessarily have a lower noise than a comfort normal tire like Michelin Primacy 4+.

iii. Electric Vehicle can drive longer distance with EV tire than a normal tire

EV tire is labeled as low rolling resistance. Drivers who owned EV tire feedback the vehicle electric efficiency is longer compared to a normal ultra high performance tire. However, no one has proven that EV tire provides longer range than a normal tire. Afterall, all normal touring tires states that they have low rolling resistance, just like EV tire shows it is.

A customer of Tesla Model Y with 225/45 R19 tried out Falken FK510 and Westlake Superide 1 EV Pro (EV tire). He feedbacks that FK510 got a higher traction than Superide 1 EV Pro, but the vehicle driving range becomes lower.

The higher the traction a tire has, the lower range your electric vehicle can drive. This is exactly the same as petrol vehicle. The higher traction a tire can provide, the higher fuel consuming

There is a difference between T005 and T005 EV.

iv. EV tire treadwear is higher than a normal tire

Not necessarily true. If we are comparing Michelin Pilot Sport EV, and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 UTQG, PS EV treadwear is 320, but PS5 treadwear is 340, slightly higher than PS EV. This implies PS5 wear off is lower (can last longer) than PS EV.

The above is the most accurate treadwear comparison between EV and a normal tire as they both manufactured by the same company.

v. EV tire got a better traction than a normal tire for Electric Vehicle

It goes back to the tire category: high performance or touring tire.

If you are comparing Michelin Pilot Sport EV vs Bridgestone T005 EV, it is undoubted that PS EV got a higher traction over T005 EV. Likewise, if you are comparing Michelin e.Primacy (EV tire) vs Bridgestone Potenza Sport, the latter surely perform much better in terms of traction.

EV tire vs EV suitable tire? Just another normal tire?

Continental SportContact 7 is probably the first normal tire in the market that states “EV suitable”. Followed by Yokohama V553 with “E+” labeled as EV suitable. From that moment, every new model (regardless of brands) got its “EV suitable” or “EV” imprinted on their tires. Look at the new models Kumho PS72, Dunlop Sport Maxx Lux, Dunlop Blue Response TG, Bridgestone Turanza 6 etc. These are not specifying itself as EV category alone. They are saying they are suitable for electric vehicles.

Some older models like Bridgestone AL001, which was released in the year 2017, now have “EV tick” imprinted. Simply showing to drivers that it is also suitable to install on EV. Other brands with older models do the same thing as well.

EV tire? EV suitable tire? They are just normal tire.

Which one to choose?

It all depends on your requirements. High performance vs Touring Comfort Tire.

If your priority is focus on highest traction and high performance, you should choose a normal tire, high performance and ultra-high performance like Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 (S), Continental SportContact 7, Falken FK520, Toyo Proxes Sport 2 etc. Normal tires with acoustic cotton such as Dunlop Sport Maxx Lux might be your consideration for getting noise level down.

If your priority is still on traction and high performance but prefer it to have lower noise level, high performance EV tire is your choice such as Yokohama V108 EV, Michelin Pilot Sport EV, Kumho PS71 EV. If you cross reference PS EV vs PS5, there is a performance difference. (look at the top page for your reference.)

If your priority is on comfort and low noise level, touring comfort tire such as Dunlop Blue Response TG, Yokohama AE51, AE61, V553, Michelin primacy 4+, primacy 5 and so on are your considerations.

For making the noise level even lower, consider Michelin e.Primacy, Kumho HP71 EV etc.

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