Electric vehicles (EVs) appeared in our world as an answer to global environmental challenges. While others, such as General Motors (GM), attempted to launch battery-powered cars and gave up, Tesla's efforts were what put the EV on the world stage. Its Model Y became the world's best-selling car last year. That level of popularity attracted the attention of many, and they might have gotten scared of the "big switch" for no good reason.
Yes, fast charging can indeed be as expensive as filling up with gas. Higher insurance premiums and pricier registration fees are also a part of many EV owners' lives. However, ditching the internal combustion engine altogether doesn't have to be a cathartic experience. If you need a car to just go from home to work and back and on some occasional trips, then something like the Model 3 Long Range (now eligible for the EV tax credit), the Chevy Equinox EV, the BMW i4 Gran Coupe, the Hyundai Kona Electric, or the VW ID.4 can be great choices for your household. All of them are doing a good job and boast a satisfying range.
However, prospective EV buyers are often told that battery-powered cars are generally heavier than their conventionally powered counterparts. That, coupled with the fact that they can deploy a ton of torque as soon as the driver puts the pedal to the metal, can translate into accelerated tire wear.
It's true that more power and weight can cause a car to munch through tires, but it's not the end of the world. However, these rubber rings are very important. Choosing the right ones is paramount, especially since there's no internal combustion engine that can generate vibration or, better said, background noise.
The good thing about it is that there are many options out there. You're not limited to only one type of tire. You can pick exactly what you like. Do you prioritize efficiency above all else? There's a tire for that. Do you want silence or an extended lifespan? There's a variant available out there. Just make sure you don't drive something like the Rivian R1T. Aside from Pirelli, you don't have any other outs. Many other companies make tires that fit this pickup truck, but you would trade off something for giving up on the "RIV" designation.
But the burning question is: do you really need to spend more money on EV-specific tires? Well, according to an in-depth TireRack test, you don't. You only have to buy these if you care about maximum range and (somewhat) minimum noise.
Photo: George Hodan on publicdomainpictures.net
If you like taking advantage of your EV's capabilities, then you can safely go for the high-performance non-EV tire. They don't impact range too much but do exactly what they should – ensure your ride stays glued to the asphalt, even when the road conditions aren't stellar.
The test below doesn't focus on cabin noise, but it does show that it would be a mistake not to consider most of the good tires available on the market. It also underlines that Hankook did a good job with its EV-dedicated rubber ring, the iON evo AS.
However, Michelin remains king when it comes to high-performance (season-specific or all-season) non-EV tires. The Pilot Sport AS4 and 4S may cost a bit more, but they'll help you stop earlier and enjoy better cornering.
Ultimately, if you're not a spirited driver, you could make great use of capable and affordable all-season tires. Just make sure you rotate them every once in a while so the wear remains uniform.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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