Electric cars are changing the rules of the game in the automotive industry, but it's not all about speeding up and enjoying the silence. There is a small detail that perhaps not everyone takes into account: the tires.
It turns out that these zero-emission vehicles face unique difficulties in this regard, something their combustion counterparts never had to pay as much attention to. Thus, the massive implementation of these vehicles brings with it a series of peculiarities, among them, the notable difference in the useful life of the tires compared to traditional gasoline or diesel cars.
A recent report by JD Power has brought to light a little-known reality: owners of electric vehicles are forced to replace tires much earlier than expected, a circumstance that surprises more than one. This difference is attributed to several factors, such as the additional weight of the batteries and a tire design focused on optimizing autonomy, which accelerates their wear. According to the study, the average use before replacement of electric vehicles is significantly lower compared to hybrid and combustion vehicles.
The research, which collected the opinions of more than 31,000 users, revealed that the durability of tires on electric cars is approximately 25% lower than that of cars with a combustion engine. These data reveal a gap in communication during the purchasing process, in which the majority of consumers were not informed of this peculiarity, which led them to have to face unexpected and premature substitutions.
In this context, Ashley Edgar, Director of Benchmarking and Alternative Mobility at JD Power, has highlighted the opportunity to improve consumer awareness of realistic expectations of tire performance in electric vehicles: "The growing satisfaction gap between “EVs and gasoline vehicles highlights an opportunity for tire and auto manufacturers to educate EV owners about the performance differences.”
The JD Power 2024 US Original Equipment Tire study also addresses the need for tire and vehicle manufacturers to work together to find a balance between maximizing vehicle range and ensuring reasonable tire life, without compromising other aspects of performance. . This issue is presented as crucial at a time when the electric vehicle market continues to expand.
