Electric vehicles lower emissions and noise pollution caused by engine sounds. They are also easier to maintain and are characterized by lower running costs than internal-combustion engine cars. It is worth noting that the use of batteries, however beneficial, leads to a significant increase of the vehicle’s weight, which causes additional strain on the tires. What tires are suitable for an electric vehicle? Which of the tires can be fitted in a Tesla? 

The importance of choosing suitable tires for an EV 

Electric vehicles are heavier than their internal-combustion engine counterparts, which leads to a higher tire wear and longer braking distance. Because of that tires fitted in an EV need to be made with more robust rubber compounds and offer more grip. They should also provide minimal rolling resistance in order to ensure a smoother, energy-efficient and low-impact ride. Moreover, EV tires need to reduce the amount of tire noise transferred to the cabin, since it can be very audible in the absence of engine sound. 

Standards for Tesla tires 

The tires for EV, including Tesla cars, must accommodate the mass of battery packs which adds substantial weight to the vehicle, making it much more heavy than a similar-sized vehicle fitted with an internal-combustion engine. For this reason tires used in a Tesla car need to have XL load ratings. Tires that meet the standards for Tesla are produced by such manufacturers as Continental, Michelin, and Pirelli. These companies deliver summer, winter, and all-season tires. 

Differences between summer, winter and all-season tires

Similar to internal-combustion engine cars, electric vehicles can be fitted with summer, winter and all-season tires. 

Summer tires

Summer tires are built for speed and agility. They have specialized tread patterns with less grooving, which allows them to remain more flexible and provide better traction and grip. Summer tires offer more stability at high speed on dry roads, increased responsiveness, as well as great cornering and braking capabilities. 

Winter tires

Winter tires were designed to stay soft and flexible in low temperatures, below 7 °C. They are fitted with sharp blocky treads and wider, deeper grooves, and offer optimum traction, handling, and control while driving on snow, ice, and mud. It is important to know that winter tires wear fast in higher temperatures, which is why they should be changed to summer or all-season tires as soon as the weather gets warmer. 

All-season tires 

All-season tires have a smooth and straight tread pattern. They provide good grip in warm temperatures and repel water when driving in the rain. Despite their name, all-season tires can effectively substitute summer tires, but not winter ones, since they do not perform well on ice, snow, and in temperatures below 7 °C. 

What makes Tesla tires stand out? 

Tesla tires are made from the highest quality rubber with thicker sidewalls for maximum durability. They were designed to deliver a smooth, quiet ride, superior grip, and very low rolling resistance for maximum range.

Tesla parts, including tires, can be sourced on a secondary market. It is beneficial for the vehicle’s owner, as it is much less expensive than buying new components, and very easy, since nowadays a lot of internet shops with car parts sell used Tesla pieces. Sourcing used Tesla parts is also advantageous to the environment, because it reduces the amount of energy needed for manufacturing and transportation of the new components, diminishes carbon footprint, and helps preserve natural resources. Moreover, it leads to the decrease of the amount of auto parts disposed of in the landfill.