Guide: The right tire for the electric car.

There are summer tires, winter tires and those that try to offer the best of both worlds year-round. It is clear that the tire must fit the vehicle and the requirements are different for a small car than for an off-roader or a high-performance sports car. But times have changed and no matter from which class the vehicle comes, an electric vehicle or at least an electrified model has different technical specifications that the wheels must meet.

First, the weight of an electric model is higher than that of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, and thus the tire requires a higher load-carrying capacity, expressed by the so-called HL-Index. The tires must withstand more weight and, despite the higher load, ensure safety without reducing the level of comfort. For an electric model, every kilometer counts, and thus rolling resistance is as important as noise emission. Since in electric operation the sound of the internal combustion engine is missing, noises from a loud air conditioner or seat ventilation count as much as the tire with its tread and the airflow past the vehicle. Some manufacturers equip their tires with a special EV designation, indicating that they are specifically suitable for electric models.

High-tech in black

Electric cars are not, however, faster than those with internal combustion engines; they have significantly more torque, especially in the lower vehicle classes, and this torque must be transferred to the road. This is ensured by special profiles and corresponding rubber compounds, which, however, must not come at the expense of range or noise levels.

According to the requirements, the tires are tested and are an essential part of every vehicle test program. The best example is the Mercedes AMG GTXX study, which in late summer as an electric model set numerous records on the roughly 13-kilometer-long high-speed track at Nardo in southern Italy. On board the prototype, which is to go into serial production next year: Michelin high-speed tires of the Pilot Sport 5 Energy type. In less than eight days, the prototype on the AMG-EA platform, with speeds of 300 km/h and more, covered over 40,000 kilometers – that corresponds to the Earth's circumference at the equator. The tire, developed over five years specifically for electric cars with high weight and maximum power, in the size 265/40 ZR20 107Y XL front and 295/40 ZR 20 113Y XL rear, features a special tread surface architecture. On the outer sides, the compound provides lower energy consumption, while in the middle of the tread area a grip compound provides traction on dry and wet roads.

Special requirements for electric supercars

Also Porsche is bringing its electric crossover Macan to the road with Michelin tires of the Pilot Sport EV (summer) and Pilot Alpin 5 SUV (winter) types, which are specifically designed to meet the requirements for a heavy sport-SUV. But just like the hybrid Porsche Cayenne, the Macan Electric is also available with specially developed Bridgestone tires. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport for the Porsche Macan Electric features a special tread design as well as a rubber compound that is specifically tailored to the weight and high torque of the electric SUV. In addition to handling, the tire (20-22 inches) should provide comfort, maximized braking performance and an optimized rolling resistance to support the electric model's range of around 600 km.

Pirelli recently unveiled its new winter tire Cinturato Winter 3; a high-performance winter tire for sedans and crossovers that offers safety and control in winter conditions. Compared to previous tires, the Cinturato Winter 3 – available between 16 and 20 inches – should offer greater mileage and, in particular, perform better in aquaplaning. For electrified vehicles it should deliver range increases of up to ten percent. The tire internally features sound-absorbing materials that are intended to reduce rolling noise.