How should EV drivers choose the right tires?

Drivers have never been more charged up about electric vehicles, but there’s an important factor many don’t know about — choosing the right tires for EVs.

Electric vehicle sales in the United States doubled in 2023, according to J.D. Power. As a growing number of drivers enter the EV market, those consumers should also know that EVs come with unique challenges where the rubber meets the road.

Electric vehicles need tires that will help keep noise levels low. And their heavier weights and quick acceleration require tires that can withstand larger loads and more intense torque — all while delivering an efficient driving experience that gets the most out of each charge.

Global tiremaker Nokian Tyres has been testing tires on electric vehicles for more than a decade, and every tire they make comes with an Electric Fit marking that certifies it’s a seamless fit for EVs. As a leader in EV tire innovation, the company says drivers should look for the following four factors when choosing replacement tires that will help them get the most out of their EVs.

Weight

Electric vehicles are as much as 30% heavier than their internal combustion engine counterparts, according to The University of Tennessee’s Center for Transportation Research. Their heavy battery packs mean tires have to be sturdier.

The added weight can cause the wrong tires to stop too slowly, wear too quickly and struggle on challenging surfaces, such as rain or wintry precipitation. Tiremakers seek to account for the heavier load by constructing tires with heavier-duty materials and formulating rubber compounds to be more responsive to the road.

Noise

While EVs are making a lot of noise in the automotive market, their engines are virtually silent. The main sound drivers notice in the cabin is the noise of tires touching the road. Tire manufacturers seek to mitigate noise frequencies by using tread patterns, rubber compounds and materials that dampen sound waves.

Nokian Tyres inserts acoustic foam into its dedicated EV winter products, the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 10 EV and R5 EV. Other tiremakers are making similar strides to cut down on cabin noise and deliver a peaceful driving experience that matches the smooth and silent nature of EVs.

Torque

Electric vehicles are powerful — Car and Driver reports that many can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in fewer than five seconds. That extra torque presents an extra challenge to tires, since rapid changes in speed can cause them to wear more quickly.

Drivers should pursue tires that can withstand that torque and deliver grip that maximizes their vehicles' acceleration power. The key: tread patterns and rubber compounds that balance durability and responsiveness.

Range

Range anxiety is real. Numerous studies indicate that uncertain or low driving range per charge is one of the biggest barriers to entry for drivers who choose not to purchase an EV. Tires help deliver more efficient, predictable range per charge. The key: lowering rolling resistance, which is the amount of energy required to propel a vehicle along the road at a constant speed.

How do tiremakers lower the rolling resistance of their tires? Design plays a big role. According to Nokian Tyres, a tire’s sidewall construction, tread pattern and rubber compound play a role in reducing rolling resistance. More than 90% of Nokian Tyres’ products rank in the lowest categories of rolling resistance because the tire manufacturer prioritizes energy efficiency.

There’s little point in buying electric vehicles without also seeking tires designed to unlock their benefits. Nokian Tyres recommends tires that are tailored to handle EVs’ weight, noise levels, torque and range requirements. The result: a supercharged driving experience.

For more recommendations about EV tires, visit NokianTires.com/EVs.