When driving electric, have you considered tires?

You’ve just made the jump to an electric car. You’ve been driving proudly on the road for a few months, charging at home and proud to contribute less to air pollution. But now spring has arrived, and you need to choose new tires for your vehicle. 

Don’t be surprised if your advisor at Pneus Touchette asks you a few more questions and suggests tires with names you’re not as familiar with. It’s not that they are of lesser quality, quite the contrary. It’s just that more and more companies have decided to manufacture tires dedicated to electric cars.  

Let us explain why choosing a tire for an electric car is so different! 

First, the weight 

You should know that an electric car is, in general, heavier than a gasoline car of comparable size. This has a serious impact on the choice of tires. The tires chosen should have stiffer sidewalls to better support the extra weight. Remember, the sidewalls of your tires also play a role in absorbing bumps on the road and contributing to the comfort of the ride. 

If the tires aren’t stiff enough, they will sag or fail to absorb anything, making you feel every bump in the road. Learn to read your tires. A load rating (such as an XL rating) will help you choose. Many companies make tires for electric cars, but you must also take into account the size of your vehicle; an SUV is heavier than a sedan! 

Next, braking 

The extra weight, added to the characteristics of electric cars, can increase the braking distance. Therefore, the tires must be able to provide extra grip and react well when the brakes are applied. 

A word of caution: electric cars often have regenerative brakes that allow some energy to be stored in the battery, a system that also serves to slow the vehicle without using the brake pedal. Again, the tire’s grip is involved in this exceptional slowing down. 

 Then the acceleration 

Have you ever driven an electric car? If so, you have noticed that starts are often more dynamic than with a gasoline car, since the engine torque is available as soon as you press the pedal. Therefore, the tire tread must be able to stay in solid contact with the ground to avoid any impromptu skidding. 

To choose well, think sporty but not too sporty. You don’t want tires with a tread that is too rough. You’ll prefer a more discreet design, which will help you better control power while maintaining grip. At the same time, you’re not driving a Formula One car, so it’s a matter of compromise. 

And don’t forget the range 

An electric car, like a gasoline car, is sensitive to friction. Tires must therefore be designed to offer less resistance to headwinds and sidewinds, so as not to handicap the power of the car they are fitting.  

This quality is difficult to evaluate without a specialist. It will be a question of sidewall width and weight distribution. It is almost impossible to know this without having a whole technical background. 

Finally, the balance 

This is where the secret lies. Tire manufacturers are using new compounds to make tires that combine grip and low friction in a delicate but scientific balance. This will allow you to maximize the use of your car without compromising on mileage.  

Don’t compromise on noise. Look at labels: tires often have a noise rating or outright decibel rating. Don’t exceed 70, or you’ll find that your electric car ride will lose some of its quietness and calm. 

That’s why it’s important to choose your tires carefully when driving an electric car. Because beyond safety, they also play a role in comfort, and in total autonomy. Think about it and ask the specialists at Pneus Touchette for advice, you won’t regret it. 

And don’t hesitate to drop by one of our workshops. ICIPneu Touchette has a team ready to help you make the right choice. Our experts know their products inside and out, and can tell you whether your tires comply with Transport Québec regulations and are safe for winter driving.